^i     WAR      INFORMATION      SERIES 


No.  10 


October,  1917 


FIRST  SESSION 


OF 


THE  WAR  CONGRESS 


ty  of  California 
3rn  Regional 
iry  Facility 


By 


CHARLES  MERZ 


-( 


iC/.S. 


Published  by  COMMITTEE  ON,PUBLIC  INFORMATION.  Washington,  D.  C. 


'^ 


WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT  PRINTING  OFFICE 

1917 


THE  COMMITTEE  ON  PUBLIC  INFORMATION 

(Establitihed  by  order  oi"  the  Presideut  April  1-i,  1*J17.) 

Distributes    free,    except    as    noted,    the    following 
publications: 

I.  Red,  White,  and  Blue  Series: 

No.  1.  How  the  War  (.'ame  to  America  (English,  German,  Polish, 
Bohemian,  Italian,  Spanish,  and  Swedish). 

No.  2.  National  Service  Handbook  (primarily  lor  libraries, 
schools,  Y.  M.  0.  A.'s,  clubs,  fraternal  organizations, 
etc.,  as  a  guide  and  reference  work  on  all  forms  of  war 
activity,  civil,  charitable,  and  military). 

No.  3.  The  Battle  Line  of  Democracy.  Prose  and  Poetry  of  the 
Great  Wai'.     Sold  at  cost.     Price,  15  cents. 

No.  4.  The    President's    Flag    Day    Speech    with    Evidence    of 
Germany's  Plana. 
Other  issues  in  preparation. 

II.  War  Information  Series: 

No.     1.  The  War  Message  and  Facts  Beliind  It. 
No.    2.  The  Nation  in  Arms,  by  Secretaries  Lane  and  Baker. 
No.    3.  The  Government  of  Germany,  by  Prof.  Charles  D.  Hazen. 
No.    4.  The  Great  War:  from  Spectator  to  Participant,  by  Prof. 

A.  C.  McLaughlin.    , 
No.    5.  A  War  of  Self  Defense,  by  Secretary  Lansing  and  Assistant 
Secretary  of  Labor  Louis  F.  Post. 
American  Loyalty  by  Citizens  of  German  Descent. 
Amerikanische  Bwrgertreue.     A  translation  of  No.  C. 
American    Interest   in    Popular   Government    Abroad,    by 

Prof.  E.  B.  Greene. 
Home  Reading  Com-se  for  Citizen-Soldiers. 
First  Session  of  the  War  Congress,  by  Charles  ISIerz. 
Other  issues  Avill  appear  shortly. 

III.  Offical  Bulletin: 

Accurate  daily  statement  of  what  all  agencies  of  government  are 
doing  in  war  times.     Sent  free  to  newspapers  and  postmasters 
(to  be   put   on   bulletin   boards).     Subscription   price  $5   per 
year. 
Address  recjuests  and  orders  to 

COMMITTEE  ON  PUBLIC  INFORMATION, 

Washington,  D.  C. 


No. 

u. 

No. 

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No. 

8. 

No. 

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No. 

10. 

SRLF 
YRL 

FOREWORD. 


In  this  summary  of  the  legislation  enacted  by  the  first  "  War  Ses- 
sion" of  the  Sixty-fifth  Congress  there  is  incJudod  every  measure 
which  became  a  law,  whether  or  not  it  had  a  direct  bearing  upon  the 
war.  The  orck'r  in  which  tiie  acts  arc  arranged  is  the  order  in  which 
they  were  signed  by  the  President.  In  each  case  there  are  given  the 
dates  upon  which  the  act  was  reported  and  passed;  the  votes  in  the 
two  Houses;  the  date  upon  which  the  conference  report  was  accei)ted 
if  one  House  did  not  concur  in  the  other's  amendments  and  a  con- 
ference was  thereby  made  necessary;  and  the  final  date  upon  which 
the  act  was  approved,  with  the  law  number  given  to  it.  There  is 
then  added  a  brief  synopsis  of  the  chief  provisions  contained  in  the 
act.  More  complete  information  can  of  course  be  obtained  by  refer- 
ence to  the  act  itself — a  copy  of  which  can  in  each  case  be  secured 
upon  apphcation  to  the  Senate  and  House  document  rooms,  in  Wash- 
ington.    For  purposes  of  convenience  an  index  is  appended. 

In  studying  this  record  one  realizes  the  truth  of  the  President's 
statement  to  the  adjourning  Members  of  Congress: 

*'The  Sixty-fifth  Congress,  now  adjourning,  deserves  the  gratitude 
and  appreciation  of  a  people  whose  v.'^ill  and  purpose  I  believe  it  hjis 
faithfully  expressed.  One  can  not  examine  the  record  of  its  action 
without  being  impressed  by  its  completeness,  its  courage,  and  its  full 
comprehension  of  a  great  task.  The  needs  of  the  Ai-my  and  the  Navy 
have  been  met  in  a  way  that  assures  the  effectiveness  of  American 
arms,  and  the  war-making  branch  of  the  Government  has  been  abund- 
antly equipped  with  the  powers  that  were  necessaiy  to  make  the 
action  of  the  Nation  effective. 

"I  believe  that  it  has  also  in  equal  degi-ee,  and  as  far  as  possible 
in  the  face  of  war,  safeguarded  the  rights  of  the  people  and  kept  in 
mind  the  considerations  of  social  justice  so  often  obscured  in  the 
hasty  readjustment  of  such  a  crisis. 

"It  seems  to  me  that  the  work  of  this  remarkable  session  has  not 
oidy  been  done  thorouglily  but  that  it  has  also  been  done  with  the 
utmost  dispatch  possible  in  the  circumstances  or  consistent  with  a 
fidl  consideration  of  the  exceedingly  critical  matters  dealt  with. 
Best  of  all,  it  has  left  no  doubt  as  to  the  spirit  and  determination  of 
the  country,  but  has  afiirmed  them  as  loyally  and  as  emphatically  as 
om'  fine  soldiers  wiU  aflSi-m  them  on  the  filling  line." 

In  preparing  this  summary  of  congressional  legislation,  the  com- 
mittee has  been  fortunate  in  having  eidLsted  the  services  of  so  com- 
petent a  person  as  Mr.  Merz..  It  ls  perhaps  worthy  of  note  that  this 
is  the  first  attempt  by  any  governmental  agency  to  prepare  such  a 
survey  for  popular  information. 

George  Creel. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2008  with  funding  from 

IVIicrosoft  Corporation 


http://www.archive.org/details/firstsessionofwaOOmerz 


FIRST  SESSION 

OF 

THE  WAR  CONGRESS 


Public  Resolution — No.  1.  Approved,  April  6. 

Beilaratlon  of  war. 

Koportod  in  the  Senate April  2. 

Pivssed  in  the  vSenatc April  4;  82  yeas,  6  nays. 

Reported  in  tlie  House April  5. 

Passed  in  the  House April  5:  378  yeas,  70  nays. 

No  confere3ice. 

Whereas  the  Imperial  Gemian  Government  has  committed  repeated 
acts  of  war  against  the  Government  and  the  people  of  the  United 
States  of  America:  Therefore  be  it 

Resolved  hy  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United 
States  of  Ameriea  in  Congress  assemhled,  That  the  state  of  war 
between  the  United  States  and  the  Imperial  German  Government 
which  has  thus  been  thrust  upon  the  United  States  is  hereby 
formally  declared;  and  that  the  President  be,  and  he  is  hereby, 
authorized  and  directed  to  employ  the  entire  naval  and  mihtary 
forces  of  the  United  States  and  the  resources  of  the  Goverimient 
to  carry  on  war  against  the  Imperial  German  Government;  and 
to  bring  the  conflict  to  a  successful  termination  aU  of  the  resources 
of  the  country  are  hereby  pledged  l)y  the  Congress  of  the  United 
States. 

"The  American  people  have  uo  quiuTcl  ^^ith  the  Geiiuau  people,  Imt  we  have  a 
(juarrel  to  death  with  autocracy.  " — Senator  Tillman. 

"We  are  not  w^aglng  war  against  the  Ciermau  people,  but  against  thek  military 
and  autocratic  government,  which,  we  believe  contrary  to  the  wishes  of  the  German 
people,  has  inflicted  injuries  ui)on  us  and  severed  the  ties  of  friendship  which  have 
for  more  than  a  century  bound  us  to  the  German  people.  We  believe  that  when 
the  m.ilitary  autocracy  which  now  rules  Germany  has  been  chastened  or  overthrown, 
the  ties  of  friendshii?  now  severed  v.'ill  be  reunited  and  become  firmer  and  stronger. 
In  waging  this  war  we  ■will  be  aiding  the  free,  liberal,  and  democratic  nations  to  over- 
throw in  Germany  the  last  refuge  of  autocracy  and  militarism." — Senator  Swanson. 

"We  have  su]>mitted  to  outrage  which  could  be  borne  only  because  of  our  conscious 
rectitude  and  of  our  steadfast  hope  that  we  might  bring  peace  to  stricken  humanitjv 
That  hope  was  destroyed  by  the  obstinate  outlawry  of  the  German  Government." — 
Representative  Flood,  chairman  of  the  House  Committee  on  Foreign  Affaii's. 

"The  work  that  we  are  called  upon  to  do  when  we  enter  this  war  is  to  preserve 
the  principles  of  human  liberty,  tlie  principles  of  democracy,  and  the  light  of  modern 
civilizcition;  all  that  we  most  love,  all  that  we  hold  dearer  than  life  itself.  In  such  a 
battle  we  can  not  fail  to  win.  I  am  glad  that  my  coimtry  is  to  share  in  this  preserva- 
tion of  humim  freedom.  I  wish  to  see  my  country  gathered  with  the  other  nations 
who  are  fighting  for  the  same  cud  when  the  time  for  peace  comes.  We  seek  no  con- 
quasts,  we  desire  no  territoiy  and  no  new  dominions.  We  wish  simply  to  preserve 
our  own  peace  and  our  own  security,  to  uphold  the  great  doctrine  which  guards  the 
American  hemisphere,  and  to  see  the  disappearance  of  all  wars  or  rumors  of  wars 
from  the  East,  if  any  dajigers  there  exist.  " — Senator  Henry  ("abot  Lodge,  ranking 
Kepublican  member. of  the  Senate  Committee  on  Foreign  Relations. 

5 


6'  FIKST    SESSIOis^    OF    THE    WAK   CONGKESS, 

Public — No.  1.  Approved,  April  11. 

Making  appropriations  to  cover  expenses  of   the   current   session  of 
Congress. 

Reported  in  the  House April  9. 

Passed  iii.  the  House April  10 ;  xivn  vtx-e  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate April  10. 

Passed  in  the  Senate April  1 0 :  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

This  act  authorized  payment  of  mileage  expenses  to  members  of 
Congress;  set  aside  $55,000  for  stationery,  $125  worth  for  each  mem- 
ber; and  appropriated  salaries  for  messengers  and  pages  until  the 
30th  of  June. 

Public — No.  2.  Approved,  April  17. 

Deficiencies  appropriati<ms  act  for  the  fiscal  year  ending  June  30,  1917. 

Re])orted  in  the  House  ^Ajjril  2. 

Passed  in  the  House^   .  April  3 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate April  6. 

Passed  in  the  Senate April  6 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Conference  report  accepted April  IC. 

This  was  the  deficiencies  appropriations  act  which  failed  of  enact- 
ment in  the  previous  session  of  Congress.  It  carried  $163,841,400.52, 
as  compai-ed  with  $57,034,118.94  in  the  previous  year's  bill,  and 
$11,399,025.69  for  the  year  before.  The  striking  increase  shown  in 
these  comparisons  was  cliiefly  due  to  an  amendment  which  was 
written  into  the  bill  in  the  Senate:  '*'For  the  national  security  and 
defense,  and  for  each  and  every  purpose  connected  therewith,  to 
be  expended  at  the  discretion  of  the  President,  and  to  be  immedi- 
ately available  and  to  remain  available  until  December  thirty-first, 
nineteen  hundred  and  seventeen,  $100,000,000." 


Public — No.  3.  Approved,  April  24. 

Bond  issue  act. 

Reported  m  the  House April  1 1 . 

Passed  in  the  House April  14;  389  yeas,  0  nays. 

Reported  in  the  Senate April  16. 

Passed  in  the  Senate April  17 ;  84  yeas.  0  nays. 

Conference  report  accepted April  24. 

"I  hope  tha>t  before  this  day  ends,  before  the  Senate  again  adjourns,  we  shall  pass 
this  bill.  I  do  not  Jcnow  anything  that  we  can  do  at  this  time  which  will  give  eo  much 
hope,  so  much  comfort,  so  much  confidence  to  our  allies  who  are  in  the  travails  of  war 
as  prompt  and  united  and  whole-hearted  action  in  the  passage  of  tliis  measure.  It 
will  convey  to  them  the  immistakable  assm-ance  and  guai'anty  that  the  United  States 
has  embarked  on  this  matter  in  earnest." — ^Senator  Simmons,  chairman  of  the  Senate 
Finance  Committee. 

The  bond  issue  act  authorized  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  with 
the  approval  of  the  President,  to  borrow  on  the  credit  of  the  United 
States  an  amoimt  not  to  exceed  $5,000,000,000  for  the  pm-pose  of 
meeting  expencUtures  authorized  for  the  national  security  and  de- 
fense and  other  public  purposes.     This  loan  was  to  be  secured  through 


EIHST    SESSION    OF    THE    WAR   CON<;RESS.  7 

successive  issues  of  Govoniiueut  bonds,  wiiioli  would  bear  iiuorest  at 
not  more  than  3|  per  cent.  Both  principjil  and  interest  were  to  be 
exempt  from  all  taxation,  except  estate  or  inheritance  taxes,  imposed 
by  the  Federal  Government  or  bj  any  State  or  local  taxinj;  authority. 
The  bonds,  ln)wever,  were  not  to  bear  the  circulation  privilege.     " 

For  the  purpose  of  more  effectually  prosecuting  the  war,  by  estab- 
lishing credits  in  the  United  States  for  foreign  Governments,  the 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury  was  authorized  to  puichasc,  at  par,  from 
foreign  Governments  then  engaged  in  war  with  the  enemies  of  tho 
United  States,  their  obligations  hereafter  issued,  bearing  tlie  same  rate 
of  interest  and  containing  in  their  essentials  the  same  terms  and  con- 
ditions as  those  of  the  United  States  issued  under  authority  of  this 
act.  For  this  purpose  there  was  appropriated  $3,000,000,000,  or  so 
much  of  that  amomit  as  might  be  necessary. 

The  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  was  authorized,  under  such  terms 
and  conditions  as  he  might  prescribe,  ta  receive,  on  or  before  maturity, 
payment  for  any  obUgations  of  foreign  Goverimaents.  Such,  obliga- 
tions he  was  authorized  to  sell  at  m>t  less  than  the  purcha^se  piice, 
and  to  apply  the  proceeds — and  any  payments  made  by  foreign 
Governments  on  account  of  their  obhgations — to  the  redemption  or 
purchase  at  not  more  than  par  and  accrued  interest  of  any  bonds  of 
tlie  United  States. 

It  was  also  provided  that  any  series  of  bonds  issued  und<u-  authority 
of  this  act  might  be  convertible  into  bonds  bearing  a  higher  rate  of 
interest,  if  any  subsequent  series  of  bonds  should  be  issued_  at  a  higher 
rate  before  the  termination  of  the  war  between  the  United  States 
and  the  Imperial  German.  Goverument. 

In  addition,  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  was  authorized  to  borrow 
from  time  to  time  such  sums  as  in  his  judgment  miglit  be  necessary, 
and  to  issue  certificates  of  indebtedness  at  not  less  than  par,  bearing 
interest  not  to  exceed  3^  per  cent.  Certificates  of  indebtedness  were 
not  to  bear  the  circulation  privilege;  and  the  sum  of  such  certificates 
outstanding  was  at  no  time  to  exceed  $2,000,000,000.  These  cer- 
tificates also  were  to  be  exempt  from  all  taxation,  except  estate  or 
inheritance  taxes. 

Finally,  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  was  authorized  to  depovsit 
in  such  banks  and  trust  companies  as  he  might  designate  the  proceeds 
arising  from  the  sale  of  the  bonds  and  certificates  of  indebtedness,  tv> 
bear  such  a  rate  of  interest  and  be  subject  to  such  ternis  and  condi- 
tions as  he  might  prescribe. 

Public — No.  4.  Approved,  April  25. 

Authorizing  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  to  assign  members  of  the  Fleet 
Naval  Reserve  to  active  duty  for  training  on  land. 

Reported  in  the  House April  13, 

Passed  in  the  House April  19;  viva  vtxc  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate April  20. 

Passed  in  the  vSenate April  20:  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

Tliis  act  provided  an  amendment  in  existing  law  by  striking  out  the 
word.s  "  on  board  ship ' '  in  the  following  clause :  ' '  The  Secretary  of  the 
Navy  is  authorized  to  assign  any  member  of  the  Fleet  Naval  Reserve 
to  active  duty  for  training  on  board  ship,  upon  the  application  of  such 
member." 


8  FIRST   SESSION    0¥    THE    WAR   CONGRESS. 

Public— No.  5.  Approved,  April  25. 

Providing  for  the  extension  of  minority  enlistments  in  the  naval  service. 

Reported  in  tlic  House April  13. 

Pass<^'d  in  the  House April  19;  viva  voce  vote. 

Re})orted  in  the  Senate April  20. 

Passed  in  the  Senate April  20 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

This  act  provided  that  hereafter  any  enlistment  for  minority  in  the 
Navy  or  Marine  Corps  may  he  extended  as  is  provided  hy  law  for 
extending  an  enlistment  for  a  temi  of  four  years,  under  similar  con- 
(Utions  and  with  like  rights,  privileges,  henefits,  and  ohhgations. 


p,,bj5C — No.  6.  Approved,  April  25. 

Authorizing  the  detail  of  additional  officers  to  the  Hydrographic  Office. 

Reported  in  the  House April  13. 

Passed  in  the  House April  19 ;  262  yeas,  95  nays. 

Reported  m  the  Senate April  20. 

Passed  in  the  Senate . .April  20;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

This  act  authorized  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  to  detail  to  the 
Hydrographic  Office  such  naval  officers  as  may  be  necessary  during 
the    resent  war. 

Public— No.  7.  Approved,  April  25. 

Increasing  the  number  of  midshipmen  at  the   Naval   Academy  until 
September  1,  1918. 

Reported  in  tlie  House April  13. 

Passed  in  the  House April  19 ;  viva  voce  A'ote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate April  20. 

Passed  in  the  Senate Aprd  20 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

This  act  provided  that  in  addition  to  the  number  of  midshipmen 
now  authorized  by  law  there  shall  be  appointed  during  the  period 
from  the  date  of  passage  of  this  act  until  September  1,  1918,  one  addi- 
tional midsliipman  for  each  Senator,  Representative,  and  Delegate 
in  Congress.  Nominations  shall  be  made  for  these  vacancies  by  the 
Senators,  Representatives,  and  Delegates  concerned  for  any  regular 
or  special  examination  that  may  be  ordered  before  that  date. 


Public- No.  8.  Approved,  April  25. 

Increasing  the  age  limit  for  persons  appointed  as  officers  in  the  Naval 
Reserve. 

Reported  in  the  House April  13. 

Passed  in  the  House April  19 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate April  20. 

Passed  in  the  wSenate April  20;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

This  act  provided  for  an  increase  from  35  to  50  years  in  the  maxi- 
mum limit  of  age,  on  first  appointment,  for  officers  of  the  Naval 
Reserve  of  the  Naval  Reserve  Force. 


FIRST    SESSION    OF    THi:    WAR   CONGRESS.  9 

PubJic— No.  <>.  Approved,  April  SO. 

Amendmg  the  regulations  uiidtr  which  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows  of  the  District  of  Cohimbia  sell,  hold,  and  convey  their  real 
estate. 

Reported  in  tlie  Senate April  24. 

Passed  in  tlie  Senate April  24 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Keported  in  the  House April  26. 

Passed  in  the  House April  26;  viva  a'oco  A^ote. 

No  eonference. 

Public — No.  10.  Approved,  May  7. 

Authorizing  the  allied  Governments  to  recruit  from  their  nationals  in 
this  coimtry. 

Reported  in  the  House \ April  16. 

Passed  in  the  House April  18;  vira  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate Apj-il  30. 

Passed  in  the  Senate May  1 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

Tliis  act  amended  section  10  of  chapter  2  of  the  Criminal  Code,  and 
provided  that  enlistments  under  the  new  proviso  shall  he  under 
regulations  prescribed  h}"  the  Secretary  of  War. 

Public— No.  11.  Approved,  May  12. 

Army  appropriations  act  for  the  Useal  year  ending  June  30,  1918. 

Reported  in  the  House .April  2. 

Passed  in  the  House April  4;  viva  a-occ  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate April  9. 

Passed  in  the  Senate April  11 ;  viva  voce  vote 

Conference  report  accepted May  8. 

This  act  set  aside  for  the  military  establishment  the  regular  appro- 
priations which  would  have  been  authorized  even  if  the  Nation  had 
not  gone  to  war.  It  carried  $273,046,322.50,  as  compared  with 
$267,596,530.10  for  the  fiscal  year  ending  in  June,  1917,  and  $101,- 
959,195.  85  for  the  year  ending  in  the  previous  June. 


Public  RtsoluUon — No.  2.  Approved,  May  12. 

Authorizing  the  President  to  take  over  enemy  vessels. 

Reported  iii  the  Senate April  30. 

Passed  in  the  Senate April  30;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House May  5. 

Passed  in  the  House May  7;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

This  act  authorized  the  President  to  take  over  to  the  United  States 
the  immediate  possession  of  any  vessel  within  its  jurisdiction  which 
was  owned  in  whole  or  in  part  by  a  corporation,  citizen,  or  subject 
of  any  nation  with  wliich  the  United  States  might  be  at  war,  or  which 
was  under  register  of  such  a  nation.  Through  the  Shipping  Board, 
or  any  other  department  or  agency  of  the  Government,  the  President 
was  authorized  to  operate  and  equip  such  a  vessel  in  any  service  of 


10  FIRST   SESSION    OF    THE    WAR   CONGRESS. 

tlie  United  States.  The  act  also  authorized  and  directed  the  Scc- 
retiiry  of  the  Navy  to  appoint,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Presi- 
dent, a  board  of  survey,  whose  duty  it  should  be  to  ascertain  the 
actual  value  of  the.  vessel  and  its  equipment,  and  to  make  a  written 
report  of  their  findings  to  be  preserved  as  evidence  in  proceedings 
for  compensation. 

Private— No.  1.  Approved,  May  12. 

Authorizing  Senator  P.  G.  Gerry  to  enter  into  a  contract  with  the  Sec- 
retary of  the  Navy  for  the  use  of  the  steam  yacht  Owera. 

Reported  in  the  Senate April  18. 

Passed  in  the  Senate April  20;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House April    24. 

Passed  in  the  House . May  8;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

Mr.  Gerry  being  a  member  of  the  Senate,  it  was  necessary  for  this 
act  to  be  passed  before  he  could  legally  contract  for  the  use  by  the 

Navy  of  his  yacht,  during  the  present  war. 


Public— No.  12.  Approved,  May  18. 

Army  [conscription]  act. 

Reported  in  the  House April  19. 

Passed  in  the  House April  28;  397  yeas,  24  nays. 

Reported  in  the  Senate April  28.^ 

Passed  in  the  Seriate May  1;  81  yeas,  8  nays. 

Conference  report  accepted May  18. 

"No  amount  of  argument  will  convince  me  that  a  nation  can  last  that  does  not 
have  the  right,  and,  when  the  occasion  arises,  exercises  the  right,  to  compel  of  every 
citizen  the  doing  of  tho,^e  tilings  that  may  be  necessary  for  the  preservation  of  the 
national  life/'^RepresentatiA-e  Swagar  Sherley. 

•'One  of  the  Aices  of  the  old  volunteer  system,  as  it  was  in  vogue  during  the  days 
of  the  Civil  Wat,  was  that  the  officers — colonels,  majors,  lieutenant  colonels,  captains, 
and  lieutenants — were  oftentimes  appointed  because  of  their  political  affiliations  and 
their  political  standing  and  influence  with  the  governor  who  had  the  appointment. 
The  customary  method  was  for  some  ambitious  man  to  go  to  the  governor  and  say, 
'If  you  will  appoint  me  colonel,  I  will  try  to  recruit  a  regiment.'  Then  he  would 
endeavor  to  associate  a  man  with  him  to  whom  he  would  say,  'If  you  will  help  me,  I 
will  try  to  get  you  appointed  lieutenant  colonel.'  Then  he  woTild  go  to  another  nian 
and  promise  to  n\ake  him  a  major  if  he  would  help  him,  andso  on  down  the  line."— 
Senator  Knute  Nelson,  who  was  a  volunteer  soldier  in  the  Ci\T.I  War. 

"AV'hen  a  man  is  selected  under  the  di-aft  there  will  be  no  stigma  upon  him.  He 
will  walk  out  from  his  community,  and  his  neighbors  will  point  to  hirn  and  say, 
'There  is  a  man  who  has  been  chosen  by  oar  coimtry  for  distinguished  service.  He  is 
going  to  fight  for  us.'  That  is  the  selective  draft.  But  upon  the  failm-e  of  the  volun- 
teer "system  when  conscrijjtion  is  resorted  to,  what  is  the  situation?  The  finger  of 
scorn  and  of  shame  is  pointed  at  the  conscript  then  and  he  has  the  mark  of  a  coward 
and  a  slacker  upon  him.  Which  shall  we  choose?" — -Representative  Irvine  L. 
Lenroot. 

The  conscription  act  authorized  the  raising  of  all  organizations  of 
the  Regular  Army  to  the  maximum  enlisted  strength  authorized 
by  law;  the  drafting  into  Federal  service  of  the  National  Guard  and 
the  National  Guard  Reserves ;  and  the  drafting  of  a  force  of  500,000 
men  upon  the  principle  of  universal  liability  to  service. 

1  Altliaugh  the  conscription  bill  was  not  reported  in  the  Senate  until  it  liad  beeai  passed  by  the  House, 
debate  upon  a  similar  measure  was  licgun  in  the  Senate  on  Apr.  21. 


FIRST   SESSION    OF    THK    WAR    CONGRESS.  11 

The  act  also  autliorizod  tlu?  President,  in  Ids  discretion,  to  raiso 
and  begin  the  training  of  an  additional  force  of  500,000  men;  and  to 
raise  such  ammunition  and  depot  batteries  and  battalions  as  he 
might  deem  necessary,  and  such,  recruit  trammg  units  iis  might  be 
necessary  to  maintain  the  drafted  forces  at  maximum  strength. 
Tlie  President  was  further  autiiorized  to  raise  not  more  than  four 
infantry  divisions  by  voluntary  enhstment. 

The  provisions  under  which  the  selective  draft  was  to  be  put  into 
effect  were  set  forth  as  follows:  It  was  to  apply  to  all  miile  citizens, 
or  male  pei-sons  not  alien  enemies  who  have  declared  their  intention 
to  become  citizens,  between  the  ages  of  21  and  30,  both  inclusive; 
no  bounties  or  substitutes  were  to  be  permitted;  exemption  was 
provided  for  Federal  and  State  ofhcei's,  regular  or  duly  ordained 
ministers  of  religion,  students  who  at  the  time  of  the  appro vjil  of 
tliis  act  were  preparing  for  the  ministry  in  recognized  theological 
or  divinity  schools,  and  all  pei^sons  in  the  mditary  and  naval  service 
of  the  United  States:  no  person  was  to  be  compelled  to  serve  in  any 
of  the  forces  provided  in  the  act  who  was  found  to  be  a  member  of 
any  weil-recognized  religious  sect  or  organization  whose  existing 
principles  forbid  its  n-iembers  to  participate  in  war  of  any  form,  but 
no  such  pei-son  should  be  exempted  from  ser\dce  in  any  capacity 
that  the  President  should  declare  to  be  noncombatant;  finally,  the 
President  was  authorized  to  exclude  or  discharge  from  the  Vlraft, 
or  to  draft  for  partial  mihtary  service  only,  pei-sons  of  tlie  following 
classes:  County  and  municipal  officials;  customliouse  clerks;  persons 
employed  by  the  United  States  in  the  transmission  of  the  mails; 
workmen  employed  in  the  armories,  ai-senals,  and  navy  yards  of  the 
United  States,  and  such  other  persons  emploj^ed  in  the  service  of 
the  United  States  as  the  President  might  designate;  pilots;  mariners 
actually  employed  in  the  sea  sei-vice  of  any  citizen  or  merchant 
within  the  United  States;  pei"sons  engaged  in  industries,  including 
agriculture,  found  to  be  necessaiy  to  the  maintenance  of  national 
interest  during  the  emeroency;  those  whose  dependent  relatives 
rendered  their  exclusion  advisable;  and  those  founa  to  be  physically 
or  morally  deficient. 

Public— No.  13.  Approved,  May  22. 

Authorizing  the  county  of  Morrison,  Minn.,  to  constrnct  a  bridge  across 
the  Mississippi  River. 

Reported  in  the  Senate April  21. 

Passed  in  the  Senate April  21 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House April  24. 

Passed  in  the  House May  9 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

Public — No.  14.  Approved,  May  22. 

Authorizing  the  city  of  Bemidji,  Minn.,   to  construct  a   bridge  across 
the  Mississippi  River. 

Reported  in  the  Senate April  18, 

Passed  in  the  Senate April  18;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House April  27. 

Passed  in  the  House May  9;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 


12  FIRST    SESSION    OF    THE    WAR    CONGRESS. 

Pf.Wic — No.  15.  Approved,  May  22. 

Providing  new  regulations  for  enrollment  in  the  Naval  Reserve  Force. 

Reported  in  the  House May  4. 

Passed  in  the  House May  1 ;  ^■iva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate May  1 1 . 

Passed  in  the  Senate May  15;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

This  act  amended  the  naval  appropriations  act  of  August  29,  1916, 
by  providing  that  persons  who  are  not  citizens  of  the  United  States, 
))ut  who  have  declared  their  intention  to  become  citizens  and  who 
are  citizens  of  countries  wliich  are  at  peace  with  the  United  States, 
may  enroll  in  the  Naval  Reserve  Force  subject  to  the  condition  that 
they  may  be  discharged  from  such  em-ollment  at  any  time  within  the 
discretion  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy.  By  rendering  honorable 
service  in  the  Naval  Reserve  Force  in  time  of  war  for  a  period  of  not 
less  than  one  year  such  persons  may  become  citizens  of  the  United 
States  without  proof  of  residence  on  shore,  and  without  further 
requirement  than  proof  of  good  moral  character  and  certificate  from 
the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  that  such  honorable  service  was  actually 
rendered. 

Ptiblic — No.  IG.  Approved,  May  22. 

Authorizing  the   construction  of  a  bridge   across   the  Wabash  River 
within  or  near  the  city  limits  of  the  city  of  Vlocennes,  Ind. 

Reported  in  the  House April  27. 

Passed  in  the  House May  9 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate May  17. 

Passed  in  the  Senate May  1 7 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

Public — No.  17.  Approved,  May  22. 

Temporarily  increasing  the  strength  of  the  Navy  and  Marine  Corps. 

Reported  in  the  House April  26. 

Passed  in  tiie  House May  8;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate May  11. 

Passed  in  the  Senate May  15;  viva  voce  vote. 

Conference  report  accepted May  19. 

This  act  temporarilv  increased  the  enlisted  strength  of  the  active 
list  of  the  Navy  from  87,000  to  150,000,  and  of  the  Marine  Corps  from 
17,400  to  30,000.  It  also  authorized  temporary  appointments  and 
advancements  to  l>e  made  for  commissioned  and  warrant  officers. 


Public  Resolution — No.  3.  Approved,  May  22. 

Authorizing  the  erection  of  temporary  buildings  at  the  headquarters  of 
the  American  Red  Cross  in  the  city  of  Washington. 

Reported  in  the  Senate May  1 6. 

Passed  in  the  Senate May  10 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  m  the  House May  16. 

Passed  in  the  ITouse May  IG;  A^iva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 


FIHST   SESSION    OF    THE    AVAH    CONGRESS.  13 

Public — No.  18.  Approved,  May  29. 

MJIitary  Academy  appropriations  act  for  the  fiscal  year  ending  June  30, 
1918. 

Reported  in  the  House April  2. 

Passed  in  the  House  _.  - April  4;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate April  9. 

Passed  in  the  Senate. April  1 1 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Conference  report  accepted May  26. 

This  was  the  regular  annual  Military  Academy  appropriations  act, 
whicli  had  faded  of  enactment  in  the  previous  session  of  Congress. 
It  carried  $1,344,896.18,  as  compared  witli  .^1,225,043.57  for  the  pre- 
vious year,  and  $1,069,813.37  for  the  fiscal  5^car  ending  in  June,  1916 


rubiic— No.  19.  Approved,  May  29. 

Providing  new  car  service  regulations  on  railroad  lines. 

Keported  in  tlie  House April  23. 

Passed  in  the  House. . May  9;  viva  voee  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate May  21. 

Passed  in  the  Senate May  22 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Conference  report  accepted May  25. 

Tliis  act,  aimed  to  strike  at  the  car-shortage  evil,  authorized  the 
Interstate  Commerce  Commission,  either  upon  a  complaint  or  upon 
its  own  initiative,  to  establish  reasonalde  rules,  regulations,  and  prac- 
tices with  respect  to  car  service,  hicluding  the  classification  of  cars, 
compensation  to  be  paid  for  the  use  of  any  car  not  owned  by  a 
common  carrier,  and  tlie  penalties  or  other  sanctions  for  nonobserv- 
nnce  of  its  rules.  - 

T\n\enever  the  commission  believes  tliat  necessity  exists  for  imme- 
<liate  action,  it  shall  iiave  authority  to  suspend  the  operation  of  any 
or  all  rules,  regulations,  <n-  j^ractices  then  established  with  respect  to 
car  service  for  such  time  as  it  may  decide. 

In  case  of  the  failure  or  refusal  of  any  carrier,  receiver,  or  trustee 
to  comply  with  a  direction  or  order  with  respect  to  car  service,  he 
is  made  lia])le  to  a  penalty  of  not  less  than  $100  nor  more  than  $500 
for  each  offense,  and  $50  for  each  day  of  the  continuance  of  the 
offense. 

Public  Resolution — No.  4.  Approved,  June  1. 

Making  immediately  available  moneys  appropriated  for  the  investiga- 
tion of  the  pneumatic  mail-tube  service  in  the  act  approved  March  3, 
1917. 

Reported  in  the  Senate May  21 . 

Passed  in  tlie  Senate May  21 ;  viva  xuvc  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House May  26. 

Passed  in  the  House .. . May  26;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 


14  FIRST   SlvSrilON;    OF    THE    WAR    CONCHtF.SS. 

Public  Resolution— No.  5.  Appr<*ved,  June  9. 

Authorizing  the  Board  of  Regents  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution  to 
permit  the  Secretary  of  War  to  erect  temporary  buildings  in  the 
Smithsonian  Groimds. 

Reported  in  the  House May  31. 

Passed  iii  the  House June  2 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate June  4. 

Passed  in  the  Senate. June  4 :  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

The  buildings  to  be  erected  imder  the  authority  granted  in  tliis 
act  are  for  the  use  of  the  War  Department,  and  are  to  be  removed 
from  the  Smithsonian  grounds  within  three  years. 


Pubiic — No,  20.  Approved,  June  12. 

Amending  the  war-risk  insurance  act. 

Reported  in  the  Senate May  4. 

Passed  in  the  Senate May  22 ;  viva  voc(^  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House May  26. 

Passed  in  the  House June  2 :  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

Hiis  amendment  to  the  war-risk  insurance  act  provided  for  the 
insurance  by  the  United  States  of  American  vessels,  their_  freight, 
and  the  personal  effects  of  masters,  officers,  and  crews  against  loss 
or  damage  by  the  risks  of  war,  whenever  it  appears  to  the  Secretary 
of  the  Treasury  that  adeciuate  war-risk  insurance  on  reasonable 
tenns  can  not  be  secured  elsewhere. 

With  the  approval  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasui'y,  the  Bureau 
of  W^ar  Risk  Insurance  is  authorized  to  make  provisions  for  the 
reinsurance  by  the  United  States  of  vessels  of  foreign  friendly  flags, 
when  these  vessels  are  insured  by  the  Government  of  any  country 
which  is  at  war  with  an  enemy  of  the  United  States;  and  also  to 
reinsure  .Vmerican  vessels  with  the  Govermnents  of  any  countries 
which  are  at  war  with  an  enemy  of  the  United  States. 

Whenever  it  a])pears  desirable  to  the  Secretary,  the  owner  of 
every  American  merchant  vessel  shall  insure  the  master,  oflicers, 
and  crew  agahist  loss  of  life  or  personal  injury  from  war  risks,  as 
well  as  for  compensation  during  detention  by  an  eriemy  of  the 
United  States,  following  ca])ture.  Such  insuj-ance  shall  be  effected 
either  with  the  Bureau  of  War  Risk  Insurance  or  in  insurance  com- 
panies, and  on  terms  satisfactory  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury, 
lai  no  case  shall  the  amount  be  more  than  $5,000  or  less  than  $1,500. 

Finally,  in  the  event  of  the  failure  of  the  o^vner  of  aaiy  vessel  to 
effect  insurance  of  the  master,  officers,  and  crew  prior  to  saihng,  the 
Secretary  is  authorized  to  effect  this  insurance  with  the  Bureau  of 
War  Risk  Insui'ance  at  the  expense  of  the  owner,  who  shall  be  liable 
for  the  expense  and,  in  addition,  to  a  penalty  of  not  exceeding  $1,000. 


F1K8T    SESSION    OF    TKE    WAR    CONURESS.  15 

Public — No.  21.  Approved,  June  12.. 

Sundry  civil  appropriations  act  for  the  fiscal  year  eiidinsf  June  30,  1918. 

Reporfed  in  the  House April  2, 

Passed  in  the  House April  4;  viva  voce  vote. 

K Imported  in  the  Senate April  0. 

Passed  in  the  Senate April  1  !•;  viva  v<»<-<>  vot*. 

Conference  report  accepted June  7. 

This  act  carried  the  regular  annual  sundry  civil  appropriations 
■N\hich  failed  of  enactment  in  the  j)revioas  session  of  Congi-ess.  The 
amount  appropriated  bv  the  act  was  $147,363,928.77,  as  compared 
with  $126,788,485.24  and  $122,940,750.79  for  the  two  previous  years, 
respectively. 

Public — No.  22.  Approved,  June  14. 

Authorizuig  the  issue  of  rifles  and  other  equipment  for  organizations 
of  home  guards. 

Reported  in  the  Senate April  16. 

Passed  in  the  Senate April  21;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House May  24. 

Passed  m  the  House June  7 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

By  this  act  the  Secretary  of  War  was  tiuthorized  to  issue  from 
time  to  time  such  rifles  and  other  equipment  as  available  supplies 
\nll  permit  for  the  use  of  home  ouards  having  the  character  of  State 
poHce  or  constabulary  and  such  other  home  guards  as  might  be 
organized  under  the  direction  of  the  govemoi's  of  States  and 
Territories. 

Public — No.  23.  Approved,  June  2>, 

War  appropriations  act. 

Reported  in  the  House April  30. 

Passed  in  the  House May  2 ;  362  yeas,  1  nay. 

Reported  in  the  vSenate May  15. 

Passed  in  the  Senate ' May  19 :  viva  voce  voie. 

Conference  report  accepted June  13. 

This  act  carried  an  appropriation  of  $3,281,094,541.60  for  Army 
and  Navy  expenditures  arising  out  of  the  war. 

In  addition  to  the  appropnations  authorized,  the  act  granted  to 
the  Presi(]eiit  the  following  powei-s,  in  coimection  witli  the  Govern- 
ment's shipbuilding  program: 

{a)  To  place  an  order  with  any  pei-son  for  such  sliii)s  or  material 
as  the  necessities  of  tlie  Government,  to  be  determinea  by. the  Presi- 
dent, may  require  during  the  period  of  the  war  and  which  are  of  the 
nature  and  quantity  usually  produced  or  capable  of  being  produced 
by  such  a  person. 

(J))  To  modify,  suspend,  cancel,  or  requisition  any  existing  or 
future  contract  for  the  building  or  purchase  of  .«.hips  or  material. 


16  FIRST    SESSION    OF    THE    WAE    CONGKESS. 

(c)  To  require  tlio  owner  or  occupier  of  any  plant  in  which  ships 
or  materials  are  built  to  place  at  the  disposal  of  the  United  States 
the  whole  or  any  part  of  the  output  of  his  plant,  and  to  make  such 
deliveries  as  may  be  specified  in  the  order. 

({/)  To  requisition  and  take  over  for  use  any  plant,  or  any  part  of 
it,  whether  or  not  the  United  States  has  a  contract  with  the  owner 
or  occupier  of  sucli  a  plant. 

(e)  To  purchase  or  reciuisition  for  use  by  the  United  States  any 
ship  either  now  constructed  or  in  the  process  of  construction  or  to 
be  constructed  while  the  authority  granted  to  the  President  by  this 
act  was  valid.  [The  authority  ceases  six  months  after  a  fuial  treaty 
of  peace  is  proclaimed  with  the  Gorman  Government.] 

tbmpliance  with  all  orders  issued  shall  be  obligatory,  and  the  orders 
take  precedence  over  all  other  orders  and  contracts.  If  any  person 
shall  fail  to  comply  with  the  orders  given  to  him,  the  President  may 
take  immediate  possession  of  any  ship,  material,  or  plant  for  use  in 
such  a  manlier  as  he  may  consider  necessary  or  expedient.  In  all 
cases  the  Government  shall  make  just  compensation,  to  be  deter- 
mined by  the  President;  and  if  the  amount  is  unsatisfactory,  the 
owner  or  occupier  shall  be  paid  75  per  cent  of  it,  and  be  entitled  to 
sue  the  United  States  to  recover  his  just  compensation. 

The  cost  of  acfjuh-ing  plants,  material,  or  ships  shall  not  exceed 
the  sum  of  $250,000,000,  exclusive  of  the  cost  of  ships  turned  over 
to  the  Amiy  and  Navy,  and  for  this  purpose  the  act  appropriated 
$150,000,000.  The  cost  of  construction  of  ships  shall  not  exceed 
$500,000,000,  and  of  this  simi  the  act  appropriated  $250,000,000. 
An  additional  $5,000,000  was  set  aside  for  the  operation  of  the  ships 
authorized. 

The  other  major  appropriations  for  war  purposes  which  were 
carried  in  this  act  w^ere  as  follows: 

Expenses  of  the  Signal  Service,  $47,267,766. 

Pay  of  officers  of  the  line,  $42,096,626.09. 

Pay  of  enlisted  men  of  aU  grades,  $226,882,560. 

Pay  of  enlisted  men  in  the  Quartermaster  Corps,  $29,990,128. 

Pay  of  enlisted  men  in  the  Medical  Department,  $18,848,960. 

Subsistence  of  the  Amiv,  $133,000,000.      • 

Eegiilar  suppfies,  Quartermaster  Corps,  $101,800,114.23. 

Transportation  of  the  Army  and  its  supplies,  $221,963,745.42. 

Water  and  sewers  at  military  posts,  $10,546,169. 

Clothing  and  camp  and  garrison  e(iuipage,  $231,538,548.64. 

Horses  for  Cavalry,  Artillery,  and  Engineers,  $25,000,000. 

Barracks  and  headquarters,  $47,603,314.20. 

Medical  and  hospital  department,  $29,780,000. 

Engineer  eciuipment  of  troops,  $35,876,000. 

Engineer  operations  in  the  field,  $94,500,000. 

Ordnance  stores,  ammunition,  $131,048,000. 

Small-arms  target  practice,  $17,500,000. 

Manufacture  of  arms,  $55,349,000. 

Ordnance  stores  and  supplies,  $106,550,000. 

Automatic  machhie  rifles,  $65,900,000. 

Mountain,  field,  and  siege  cannon,  $155,000,000. 

Anmiunition  for  mountain,  field,  and  siege  cannon,  $367,000,000. 

Seacoast  cannon  and  ammunition,  $25,305,000. 

x\lteration  and  maintenance  of  mobile  artillery,  $25,000,000. 


FIRST   SESSION    OF    THE    WAB    CONGRESS.  17 

Ordnance  nnd  ordjiiincc  stores,  Navy,  $16,905,336. 

.\inmunition  for  vessels,  .168,664,858. 

New  batteries  for  ships  of  the  Navy,  $22,333,000. 

Batteries  for  auxiliaries  and  merchantmen,  $19,988,800. 

Reserve  and  miscellaneous  ordnance  supplies,  $29,260,000. 

Pay  of  the  Naw,  $75,508,672.42. 

Provisions,  NavV,  $31,740,992.45. 

Fuel  and  transportation,  Navy,  $19,362,420. 

Construction  and  repair  of  vessels,  $57,327,340. 

Quartermaster's  Department,  Marine  Corps,  $20,408,161. 


Public— No.  24.  Approved,  June  15. 

Espionage  act. 

Reported  in  the  House .April  25. 

Passed  in  the  House May  5;  259  yeas.  107  nays. 

Reported  in  the  Senate May  9.^ 

Passed  in  the  Senate May  14;  77  yeas,  6  nays. 

Conference  report  accepted June  12. 

The  espionage  act  contained  13  titles,  whose  subject  matter  may 
be  briefly  summarized  as  follows: 

Title  1  repeals  an  act  approved  March  3,  1911,  and  defines  new 
grades  of  espionage  and  penalties  for  offenses  under  each. 

Title  H  authorizes  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  whenever  the 
President  by  proclamation  declares*^  that  a  national  emergency  exists, 
to  make  regulations  governing  the  anchorage  and  movement  of  any 
vessel  in  the  territorial  waters  of  the  United  States,  and,  if  necessary 
in  his  opinion,  to  take  fidl  possession  of  the  vessel  and  remove  all 
persons  not  specially  authorized  by  him  to  remain  on  board.  Title 
II  also  makes  it  unla\v^ul  for  any  person  willfully  to  cause  or  permit 
the  destruction  or  injury  of  a  vessel  in  American  waters,  or  to_ permit 
the  vessel  to  be  used  as  a  place  of  resort  for  any  person  conspiring  to 
commit  an  offense  a^amst  the  United  States,  or  to  permit  the  vessels 
to  be  used  in  violation  of  the  rights  and  obligations  of  the  United 
States  under  the  law  of  nations. 

Title  III  provides  a  fine  of  not  more  than  $10,000  or  imprisonment 
for  not  more  than  20  years,  or  both,  for  any  attempt  to  endanger 
the  safety  of  a  vessel  or  her  cargo  or  persons  on  board,  whether  the 
injurv  or  danger  is  designed  to  take  place  within  the  jurisdiction  of 
the  tFnited  States,  or  after  the  vessel  has  departed  from  that  juris- 
diction. 

Title  IV  provides  a  fine  of  $10,000  or  imprisonment  for  not  more 
than  10  years,  or  both,  for  any  attempt  to  destroy,  by  fire  or  ex- 
plosives, articles  intended  for  exportation,  or  the  places  w^here  they 
may  be  while  in  such  foreign  commerce. 

Title  V  provides  regulations  and  penalties  for  the  enforcement  of 
neutrahtv  when  the  United  States  is  a  neutral  nation. 

Title  yi  deals  with  seizure  of  arms  and  other  articles  intended 
for  export. 

1  Although  the  espionage  bill  was  not  reported  in  the  Senate  until  after  it  had  been  passed  by  the  House, 
a  similar  measure  had  been  reported  in  the  Senate  on  April  17  by  its  Judiciary  Committee,  and  had  been 
debated  for  some  days  before  the  Iloase  version  was  remved. 

14181°— IT 2 


18  FIRST  SESSION    OF    THE    WAR   CONGRESS. 

Title  VII  contains  the  embam-o  provisions.  Whenever  during  the 
present  war  the  President  shall  proclaim  that  the  pubhc  safety  so 
requires,  it  shaU  be  unlawful  to  export  from  the  United  States  to 
any  country  named  in  his  proclamation  any  article  mentioned  therein, 
except  at  such  times  and  under  such  regulations  as  the  President 
shall  prescribe,  until  otherwise  ordered  by  the  President  or  by 
Congress. 

Title  VIII  deals  with  the  disturbance,  witliin  the  jurisdiction  of 
the  United  States,  of  foreign  relations  by  false  statements,  misrepre- 
sentation, and  conspiracy  to  injm'e  or  destroy  specific  property- 
situated  within  a  foreign  country,  or  a  political  subdivision  thereof, 
with  which  the  United  States  is  at  peace. 

Title  IX  deals  with  applications  for  passports,  and  provides  pen- 
alties, for  false  statements,  forgeries,  and  attempts  to  use  a  passport 
intended  for  another  person. 

Title  X  provides  penalties  for  attempts  at  forgery,  multilation,  or 
fraudulent  use  of  the  seal  of  any  office  of  the  United  States,  or  of  any 
naval,  military,  or  official  pass  or  permit  issued  under  the  authority 
of  the  Government. 

Title  XI  provides  certain  additional  regulations  for  the  issuance 
and  use  of  search  warrants. 

Title  XII  relates  to  use  of  the  mails.  It  declares  nonmailable  every 
publication  of  any  kind  (including  a  letter)  which  violates  any  of  the 
provisions  of  this  act,  and  every  publication  of  any  kind  containing 
any  matter  advocating  or  m-ging  treason.,  insurrection,  or  forcible 
resistance  to  any  lav/  of  the  United  States.  Whoever  attempts  to 
use  the  mails  of  the  United  States  for  the  transmission  of  any  matter 
declared  by  this  title  to  be  nonmailable  shall  be  fined  not  more  than 
$5,000  or  imprisoned  not  more  than  five  years,  or  both. 

Title  XIII  contains  certain  general  provisions  relative  to  the  juris- 
diction of  courts  and  the  prosecution  of  ofl^enses  committed  prior  to 
the  taking  effect  of  tliis  act,  under  any  law  which  it  embraces,  cnanges, 
or  repeals.  Such  offenses  may  be  prosecuted  in  the  same  manner 
and  with  the  same  effect  as  if  this  act  had  not  been  passed. 


Public  Resolution — No,  6.  Approved,  June  15. 

Relating  to  the  service  of  certain  retired  officers  of  the  Army. 

Reported  in  the  Senate May  29. 

Passed  in  the  Senate May  29;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House June  6. 

Passed  in  the  House Jime  7;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

This  act  provided  that  when  retired  officers  of  the  Army,  any  por- 
tion of  whose  active  service  was  in  the  Corps  of  Engineers,  are  called 
back  into  active  service  they  shaU  be  eligible  to  fiU  am^  position 
required  by  law  to  be  filled  by  an  officer  of  the  Corps  of  ICngineers, 


FIRST   SESSION    OF    THE    WAR   CONGRESS.  19 

Public — No,  25.  Approved,  June  21. 

Amending  the  Federal  reserve  act. 

Reported  ill  the  House April  27. 

Passed  in  the  House May  5 ;  70  yeas,  8  nays. 

Reported  in  the  Senate  _. May  9. 

Passed  in  the  Senate .' May  9 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Conference  report  accepted June  18. 

This  act  provided  amendments  to  the  Federal  reserve  act  in  the 
following  sections : 

Section  3,  relating  to  the  estahhslunent  of  branch  haiiks. 

Section  4,  in  the  paragraph  relating  to  the  appointment  of  class 
C  directors  and  prescribing  tiieir  duties. 

Section  9,  relating  to  the  admission  of  bank?,  as  members  of  the 
Federal  reserve  S3^stem. 

Section  13,  in  the  fu-st  paragi-aph,  dcaUng  with  receipts  by  a  mem- 
ber bank  of  funds  for  deposit,  exchange,  and  collection. 

Section  13,  in  the  fifth  paragraph,  relating  to  the  acceptance  of 
di'afts  or  bills  of  exchange  by  Federal  reserve  banks. 

Section  16,  in  paragraphs  2,  3,  4,  5,  6,  and  7,  relating  to  the  hold- 
ing of  reserve  notes  by  member  banks. 

Section  16,  there  are  added  new  regulations  concerning  tlic  deposit 
of  gold  coin  or  of  gold  certificates  with  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury. 

Section  17,  there  are  repealed  certain  provisions  with  res})6ct  to 
the  deposit  of  registered  bonds  with  the  Treasurer  of  the  United 
States  by  national  banking  associa,tions. 

Section  19,  relating  to  reserve  balances  maintained  by  member 
banlvs. 

Section  22,  providing  that  nothing  in  the  Federal  reserve  act  shall 
be  construed  to  prohibit  a  director,  officer,  employee,  or  attorney 
from  receiving  the  same  rate  of  interest  paid  to  other  depositors  for 
similar  deposits  made  with  the  member  bank;  and  pro\'iding  that 
evidences  of  debt  executed  or  indoi-sed  by  directoi-s  or  attorneys  of 
a  member  bank  may  be  discounted  vritli  the  member  bank  on  the 
same  terms  and  conditions  as  other  evidences  of  debt  upon  the 
aflirmative  vote  or  written  assent  of  at  least  a  majority  of  the  mem- 
bei-s  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  bank. 


Public  Resolution — No.  7.  Approved,  June  21. 

Correcting  an  error  in  the  sundry  civil  appropriations  act  f&c  the  fiscal 
year  ending  June  30,  1918. 

Reported  in  the  House June  18. 

Passed  in  the  House -.June  19;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate June  19. 

Passed  in  the  Senate Jmie  19;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

This  act  corrected  a  typographical  error  in  the  sundry  civil  appro- 
priations act,  which  had  fixed  the  salarvof  the  governor  of  the  Panama 
Canal  Zone  at  $100,000  instead  of  S  10,000. 


20  FIKST   SESSION    OF    THE    WAR   CONGEESS. 

Public  Resolution — No.  8.  Approved,  June  30, 

Extending  the  time  for  water-power  permits  on  thie  Niagara  River. 

Reported  in  the  Senate April  1 8. 

Passed  in  the  Senate April  18;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House June  29. 

Passed  in  the  House June  29;  viva  voce  vote. 

Conference  report  accepted June  30. 

This  act  extended  until  July  1,  1918,  the  power  of  the  Secretary 
of  War  to  issue  temporary  permits  for  additional  diversions  of  water 
from  the  Niagara  River.  It  also  appropriated  $25,000  for  an  inves- 
tigation of  the  subject  of  water  diversion  on  the  river,  including 
navigation,  sanitary  and  power  purposes,  and  the  preservation  of 
scenic  beauty  at  the, Falls. 

Public — No.  26.  Approved,  July  2. 

Authorizing  condemnation  proceedings  of  lands  for  military  purposes. 

Reported  in  the  Senate June  15. 

Passed  in  the  Senate June  15;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House June  20. 

Passed  in  the  House June  23;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

This  act  authorized  the  Secretary  of  War  to  institute  proceedings 
in  the  name  of  the  United  States  for  the  acquirement  by  condemna- 
tion of  any  land  needed  for  fortifications,  coast  defenses,  and  mili- 
tary training  camps.  It  provided,  however,  that  when  the  owner  of 
the  desired  land  fixed  a  price  which  v/as  reasonable,  in  the  opinion  of 
the  Secretary  of  War,  the  Secretary  might  purchase  or  enter  into  a 
contract  for  the  use  of  the  land  at  this  price  without  further  delay. 

Public— No.  27.  Approved,  July  9. 

Modifying  the  design  of  the  current  quarter  dollar. 

Reported  in  the  House June  13. 

Passed  in  the  House June  25;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate June  29. 

Passed  in  the  Senate June  29;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

Upon  complaint  of  the  Treasury  Department  that  the  current 
quarter  doUars  w^ould  not  "stack,"  this  act  was  passed  approving  a 
diange  in  the  position  of  the  eagle,  the  rearrangement  of  the  stars 
and  lettering,  and  a  slight  concavity  to  the  surface. 

Public  Resolution — No.  9.  Approved,  July  9. 

Fixing  the  status  and  rights  of  officers  of  the  Public  Health  Service 
when  serving  with  the  Coast  Guards,  the  Army,  or  the  Navy. 

Reported  i.n  the  Senate June  18. 

Passed  in  the  Senate. .Juno  18;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House June  28. 

Passed  in  the  House - June  28;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

This  act  provided  that  when  officers  of  the  Public  Health  Service 
are  serving  on  Coast  Guard  vessels  in  time  of  war  or  are  detailed  in 


PIBST   SESSION    OF    THE   WAE    CONORESS.  21 

time  of  war  for  duty  with  the  Army  or  Navy,  they  shall  he  entitled 
to  such  jx'Hsious  as  are  now  provided  for  officers  of  corresponding 
grade  and  length  of  service  of  the  Coast  Guard,  Army,  or  Navy  and 
sliall  be  subject  to  the  laws  prescribed  for  the  government  of  the 
service  to  which  they  are  respectively  detailed. 


Public— No.  28,  Approved,  July  17. 

Making  appropriations  for  certain  session  employees  of  the  Senate  and 
House  of  Representatives. 

Reported  in  the  House July  13. 

Passed  in  the  House .-July  13;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate J^ily  13. 

Passed  in  the  Senate July  13;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

Public  Resolution— No.  10.  Approved,  July  17. 

Relieving  owners  of  mining  claims  who  have  been  mustered  into  mili- 
tary or  naval  service  from  performing  assessment  work  during  their 
term  of  service. 

Reported  in  the  Senate  - May  11. 

Passed  in  the  Senate : May  11 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in.  the  House — June  28. 

Passed  in  the  House June  28;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

This  act  relieved  owners  of  miumg  claims  mustered  into  military 
or  naval  service  from  the  provisions  of  the  Revised  Statutes  which 
rcquu-e  that  on  each  mming  claim  not  less  than  $100  worth  of  labor 
s}iall  be  performed  or  improvements  made  during  each  year.  In 
order  to  obtain  the  benefits  of  this  resolution,  the  claimant  of  any 
minmg  location  must  file  notice  of  his  muster  into  the  service  of  the 
United  States  and  of  his  desire  to  hold  his  mming  claim  under  the 
resolution. 

Public— No.  29.  Approved,  July  24. 

Aviation  act. 

Reported  in  the  House July  13. 

Passed  in  the  House . July  14;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate July  17. 

Passed  in  the  Senate July  21;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

"Here  is  au  unknovm  quantity— the  use  of  fiyiiit!;  machines.  No  one  knows  what 
can  be  accomplished  by  it.  No  one  knows  its  Umitations.  No  one  knows  its  possi- 
bilities. And  I  believe  that  the  time  has  arrived  with  our  country  when  we  can 
afford  to  spend  au  immense  sum  of  money  in  trying  out  the  control  of  the  air,  and  see, 
first,  whether  that  will  give  us  control  of  the  battle  front;  second,  whether  it  \n\l 
strike  demoralization  and  produce  revolution  in  Gennany  itself.  If  I  had  my  way 
about  it,  I  would  pii^ss  this  bill  without  saying  a  word .  "—Representative  James  R. 
Mann,  Republican  tloor  leader  in  the  House. 

Tlie  aviation  act  provided  for  additional  officers  and  enlisted 
man,  in  such  nimibers  as  the  President  might  deem  necessary,  and 


22  FIfiST   SESSION    OF    THE    WAK    CONGRESS. 

set  aside  |6i0,00U,0U()  in  a  Iiimi[»  sum  for  tlieir  pay  aud  equipment, 
and  for  the  purciiase  and  production  of  all  types  of  aircraft,  guns, 
armament,  aviation,  fields,  barracks,  etc. 


Public— No,  30,  ■    Approved,  July  27. 

Authorizing  the  Sebastian  Bridge  District  to  construct  a  bridge  across 
the  Arkansas  River  at  Fort  Smith,  Ark. 

Reported  in  the  Senate July  24 . 

Passed  in  the  Senate -  ---July  24,  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House July  25. 

Passed  in  the  House July  2.5 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

Public— No.  3l.  Approved,  July  27. 

Establishing  North  Island  in  the  harJ>or  of  San  Diego,  Cal.,  as  a  site 
for  perma]5©iat  aviation  stations  for  the  Army  and  Navy. 

Reported  in  the  House June  26. 

Passed  in  the  House June  28;  viva  voe^  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate July  14. 

Passed  in  the  Senate.  . July  24;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

This  act  authorized  the  President  to  take  possession,  on  behalf  of 
the  United  States,  of  the  whole  of  North  Island.  The  Attorney 
General  or  the  claimants  are  authorized  to  make  apphcation  to  the 
District  Court  of  Southern  Cahfornia  for  the  deterxnination  and  ap- 
praisement of  any  rights  private  parties  may  have  in  the  island. 


Private— No.  2.  Approved,  July  27.. 

Private  relief  act. 

Reported  in  the  House July  9. 

Passed  in  the  House. - -July  9;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate July  16. 

Passed  in  the  Senate- -July  17;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

This  act  estabhshed  Mrs.  Nancy  E.  Mullins  as  the  duly  designated 
beneficiary  of  the  late  Capt.  W.  S.  MulUns,  Company  I,  First  Regiment 
Mississippi  National  Guard. 

Public— No.  32.  Approved,  July  28. 

Providing  relief  for  homestead  entrymen  or  settlers   who   enter  the 
military  or  naval  service  of  the  United  States  in  time  of  war. 

Reported  in  the  Senate -April  30. 

Passed  in  the  Senate May  15;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House May  26. 

Passed  in  the  House June  27;  viva  voce  vote. 

Conference  report  accepted July  24. 

Any  settler  upon  pubhc  lands,  or  any  entryman,  or  any  pei-son  who 
has  made  apphcation  for  ]mbHc  lands  which  afterwards  may  be 
allowed,  who  is  engaged  in  the  mihtary  or  naval  service  of  the  United 


FIRST   SESSION'    OF    THE    WAE    CONGRESS.  23 

States  during  a  time  of  war  shall,  by  the  provisions  of  this  act,  have 
Ids  services  counted  as  equivalent  to  residence  and  cultivation  for 
the  same  length  of  time  upon  the  tract  entered  or  settled  upon.  The 
death  of  such  a  soldier  while  engaged  in  the  service  of  the  United 
States  shall  be  counted  as  equivalent  to  a  performance  of  all  requiie- 
ments  as  to  residence  and  cultivation  upon  his  homestead. 


Public — No.  33.  Approved,  July  28.. 

Authorizing  the  comity  of  Cass,  in  the  State  of  Indiana,  to  construct  a 
bridge  across  the  Wabash  River  east  of  the  city  of  Logansport. 

Reported  in  the  Senate Ma}^  U). 

Passed  in  the  vSenate May  10;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House July  14. 

Passed  in  the  House,  „ July  25;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

Public — No.  34.  '      Approved,  July  28. 

Authorizing  the  Pritchard-Wheeler  Lumber  Co.  to  construct  a  bridge 
across  the  Bayou  Macon,  in  Louisiana,  at  a  point  east  of  the  town  of 
Wisner,  La, 

Reported  in  the  Senate July  24. 

Passed  in  the  Senate July  24;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House -July  25, 

Passed  in  the  House July  25 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 


Public — No.  35.  Approved,  August  3. 

Authorizing  the  construction,  maintenance,  and  operation  of  a  bridge 
across  the  Little  River,  south  of  the  Jonesboro,  Lake  City  &  Eastern 
Railway  bridge,  in  Arkansas. 

Reported  in  the  Senate July  30. 

Passed  in  the  Senate July  30;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  m  the  House July  31 . 

Passed  in  the  House July  31 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

Public — No.  36.  Approved,  August  1, 

For  the  protection  of  desert-land  entrymen  who  enter  the  military  m 
naval  service  of  the  United  States  In  time  of  war. 

Reported  in  the  House June  13. 

Passed  in  the  House June  29 ;  viva  xonei  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate July  23, 

Passed  in  the  Senate July  23;  Viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

This  act  provided  that  no  desert-land  entry  made  or  hold  by  an 
officer  or  eniLsted  man  in  the  Army,  Navy,  Marme  Corps,  or  Organ- 
ized Militia  shall  be  subject  to  contest  or  cancellation  for  failure  to 
make  miprovements  upon  the  claim,  durmg  the  period  in  which  the 
entryman  or  his  successor  m  mterest  is  engaged  in  the  mihtary  serv- 
ice of  the  United  Suites  during  the  present  war  with  Germany  and 
until  six  months  after  its  close.     To  enjoy  the  benefits  of  tliis  act 


24  FIRST    SESSION    OF    THE    WAR    CONGRESS. 

the  entryman  or  claiiuant  must,  withiii  six  months  after  the  passage 
of  this  act,  or  within  six  months  after  lie  is  mustered  into  tlie  service, 
file  m  the  local  land  office  a  notice  of  his  muster  mto  the  service  of 
the  United  States  and  of  his  desire  to  hold  his  desert  claim  under 
these  provisions. 

Public — No.  37.  Approved,  August  8. 

Rivers  and  harbors  appropriations  act. 

Reported  in  the  House May  9. 

Passed  in  the  House June  27;  204  yeas^   132  nays. 

Reported  in  the  Senate July  10. 

Passed  in  the  Senate July  26 ;  50  yeas,  1 1  iiays. 

Conference  report  accepted x4.ugust  3. 

This  act  carried  the  regular  annual  river  and  harbor  appropriations 
for  which  the  last  session  of  the  previous  Congress  had  made  no  pro- 
vision. The  total  amount  of  the  act  was  $27,826,150,  as  compared 
with  $42,080,935  and  $33,982,000  in  the  two  previous  years,  re- 
spectively. 

Public — No.  38.  Approved,  August  9. 

Relating  to  the  Interstate  Cominerce  Commission. 

Reported  in  the  Senate April  1 7. 

Passed  in  the  Senate May  22 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House May  26. 

Passed  in  the  House - June  27 ;  229  yeas,  12  naj^s. 

Conference  report  accepted August  6. 

This  act  increased  the  Interstate  Commerce  (Commission  from 
seven  members  to  nine,  and  authorized  divisions  of  the  commission 
to  act  with  full  jurisdiction  and  powers,  so  as  to  attain  a  greater 
dispatch  in  the  handling  of  pending  business.  The  act  also  pro- 
vided that  until  January  1,  1920,  no  increased  rate  or  classification 
shall  be  tiled  except  after  approval  has  been  secured  from  the  com- 
mission. 

Public — No.  39.  Approved,  August  10. 

Providing  priority  in  shipments. 

Reported  in  the  Senate May  25. 

Passed  in  the  Senate June  16;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House June  26. 

Passed  in  the  House June  29 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Conference  report  accepted August  6. 

"It  is  well  known  that  the  transportation  facilities  of  this  country  are  not  adequate 
to  do  the  business  that  the  country  is  trying  to  do  at  this  time.  We  have  not  cara 
enough;  we  have  not  locoriiotives  enough;  we  have  not  tracks  enough.  Some  one 
has  got  to  be  given  the  authority  to  discriminate  because  all  can  not  be  treated  alike. 
There  will  be  certain  industries,  no  matter  what  is  done,  that  will  think  they  have  not 
been  fairly  treated.  But  I  realize  that  the  people  must  be  fed,  they  must  be  clothed, 
they  must  be  warmed,  we  must  feed  our  allies,  Ave  must  furnish  transportation  to  our 
troops,  we  must  build  ships,  we  must  get  in  munitions  of  war;  and  we  have  got  to 
subordinate  private  comfort  and  luxury  and  convenience  and  even  profits  to  winning 
the  war.'' — Senator  Henry  F.  lloliis. 

This  act  provided  that  any  person  who  willfully  assisted  in 
obstructing  the  orderly  movement  in  the  United  States  of  interstate 
or  foreign  commerce  shall  be  deemed  guilty  of  a  misdemeanor,  and 


FIRST   SESSION    OF    THE    WAR   CONGRESS.  25 

for  every  offense  shall  be  pmiishable  by  a  fine  of  not  exceeding  SlOO 
or  by  imprisonment  for  not  exceeding  six  months,  or  by  both  fiiie 
and  imprisonment.  The  President  is  authorized,  whenever  in  his 
judgment  the  public  interest  requires,  to  employ  the  armed  forces 
of  the  United  States  to  prevent  any  such  obstruction — though  it  is 
provided  that  nothing  in  this  act  shall  be  construed  as  modifying 
either  section  6  or  section  20  of  the  Chiyton  Act. 

During  the  war  the  President  is  authorized,  if  he  finds  it  necessary 
for  the  national  defense  and  security,  to  direct  that  such  traffic  as 
in  his  judgment  may  be  essential  shall  have  preference  in  transporta- 
tion. It  shall  be  the  duly  of  the  oflicers  and  employees  of  all  carriers 
to  obey  promptly  the  President's  orders,  and  failure  to  do  so  is 
punisliable  by  a  fine  of  not  more  than  $5,000,  or  imprisonment  of 
not  more  than  one  year,  or  both. 


Public— No.  40.  Approved,  August  19. 

Food -survey  act. 

Reported  in  the  House May  7. 

Passed  in  the  House May  28;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate. .May  29. 

Passed  in  the  Senate June  2 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Conference  report  accepted Augusts. 

Tliis  act  provided  the  Secretary  of  Agriculture  with  authority 
which  is  to  cease  not  later  than  the  beginning  of  the  next  fiscal 
year  after  the  termination  of  the  war  with  Germany.  The  Secrctiiry 
is  authorized  to  investigate  the  basic  facts  relating  to  the  production 
and  distribution  of  foodstuffs  and  to  any  articles  required  for  this 
production  and  distribution.  It  is  made  the  duty  of  any  person  to 
answer  correctly  any  questions  upon  these  subjects  asked  of  liim 
by  an  agent  of  the  Secretary,  and  to  produce  all  books  and  docu- 
ments under  his  control  that  bear  upon  the  topic.  Failure  to  com- 
ply in  this  respect  is  made  punishable  by  a  fine  of  not  exceeding 
$f,000,  or  imprisonment  not  exceeding  one  year,  or  both. 

Wlienever  the  Secretary  finds  that  there  is  or  may  be  a  special 
need  in  any  restricted  area  for  seeds,  lie  is  authorized  to  purchase, 
or  contract  with  persons  to  grow  such  seeds,  to  store  them,  and  to 
furnish  them  to  farmers  for  cash,  at  cost,  including  the  expense 
of  pacldng  and  transportation.     - 

The  Secretary  is  authorized  to  cooperate  with  State  and  local  offi- 
cials, and  pubMc  and  private  agencies,  to  make  such  regulations  as 
are  necessary  to  carry  out  these  provisions  effectively.  And  the 
President  is  authorized  to  direct  any  agency  of  the  Government  to 
cooperate  with  the  Secretary  in  carrying  out  the  purposes  of  the 
act  and  to  coordinate  their  activities  so  as  to  avoid  any  preventable 
loss  or  dupHcation  of  work. 

To  carry  out  the  provision  of  tliis  net  the  following  sums  are  appro- 
priated: 

For  the  prevention,  controls  and  eradication  of  the  diseases  and 
nests  of  live  stock;  the  enlargement  of  live-stock  production;  and 
the  conservation  and  utilization  of  mi^at,  poultry,  dairy,  and  other 
animal  products,  $885,000. 


2<Q  FIEST   SESSION    OF    THE    WAK    CONGRESS. 

For  proeuriiig,  storlDg,  and  l^irnishing  seeds,  $2,500,000;  mid  this 
fund  may  be  used  as  a  revolving  fund  until  Jmie  30,  1918. 

For  tlie  prevention,  control,  and  eradication  of  insects  and  plajit 
diseases  injurious  l;0  agriculture,  and  the  conservation  and  utilization 
of  plant  products,  $441,000. 

For  incre^isijig  food  production  and  eliminating  waste  and  pro- 
moting conservation  oi  food  by  educational  and  demonstrational 
methods,  through,  county,  district,  and  urban  agents  and  otliers, 
$4,348,400. 

For  gathering  authoritative  informatioji  m  connection  with  th-e 
production,  distribution,  and  utilization  of  food,  $2,522,000. 

For  miscellaneous  items,  $650,000. 


Public No.  41.  Approved,  August  10. 

Food-control  act. 

Reported  in  the  House . June  15. 

Passed  in  the  House ..June  23 ;  365  yeas,  5  nays. 

Reported  in  the  Senate June  27. 

Passed  in  the  Senate July  21 ;  81  yeas,  6  nays. 

Conference  report  accepted x^ugust  8. 

"The  transfer  of  milUons of  men  to  the  battle  front  from  the  farms  in  the  European 
countries  with  which  we  are  alhed  increases  the  drain  on  our  food  resources  as  well 
as  theirs,  and  the  approach  of  a  similar  condition  here  \vill  undoubtedly  disorganize 
the  usuai  processes  of  food  productions,  imperil  the  usual  food  supplies,  and  create 
a  situation  of  extriiordinaiy  danger— a  situation  requiring  extraordinaiy,  prompt, 
and  vigorous  treatment.  ITie  stra.in  upon  our  food  supply  has  only  begun.  The 
enormous  demand  already  in  existence  creates  opportunities  and  temptations  for 
speculators  which  many  "^iil  eagerly  embrace.  The  assm-ance  of  an  adequate  food 
supply  for  the  people  at  home  and  the  soldiers  at  the  fi'ont,  the  repression  of  infamous 
men  who  would  coin  the  people's  needs  into  personal  gain,  are  as  vital  a  war  operation 
as  the  assembling  of  artillery,  the  construction  of  a  trench,  or  the  charge  on  the  battle- 
field."— Senator  Morris  Sheppard. 

Summarized  by  sections,  the  food-control  act  contains  the  follow- 
ing provisions: 

Section  1  states  the  purposes  of  the  act  and  authorizes  the  Presi- 
dent to  make  such  regulations  and  issue  such  orders  as  are  essential 
for  then-  accomphshment. 

Section  2  autliorizes  the  President  to  enter  into  any  volimtary 
arrangements,  to  create  and  use  any  agencies,  to  accept  the  service 
of  any  person  without  com]>ensation,  to  utiUze  any  department  or 
agency  of  the  Government,  and  to  coordmate  their  activities  so  as 
to  avoid  any  preventable  loss  or  duplication  of  effort  or  funds. 

Section  3  provides  that  no  person  acting  either  as  a  voluntary  or  paid 
agent  of  the  United  States  in  any  capacity  shall  attempt  to  influence 
the  awarding  of  a  contract  in  the  profits  of  wiiich  he  is  directly  or 
indirectly  interested. 

Section  4  makes  it  unla-w^ul  for  any  person  to  attempt  to  enliance 
prices  by  destruction  of  supplies,  hoarding,  monopohzation,  or  dis- 
criminatory practices. 

Section  6  autiiorizes  the  President  to  prescribe  regulations  for  the 
issuance  of  licenses,  and  requirements  for  systems  of  accounts  and 
auditing  of  accounts  to  be  kept  by  licensees.  K  the  President  finds 
that  any  pi^ctice  of  the  licensee  is  unjust,  discritninatory,  or  waste- 
ful, he  may  order  such  a  practice  discontmued. 


FIfiST   vSESSIOX"    OF    THE    WAR   CONGRESS.  27 

Section  6  provides  that  any  person  who  wilfullv  iioards  any  noces- 
saries  [as  dciiaed  in  the  act]  shall,  upon  conviction,  be  fuxed  not  ex- 
ceeding $5,000  or  be  imprisoned  for  not  more  than  two  yeai^;,  or  both. 
No  accumulatmg  by  a  farmer  or  cooperative  association  of  farmei^s  of 
the  prodiiets  of  any  farm  is  deemed  to  be  hoarding  within  iIk^  mean- 
hig  of  this  act. 

Section  7  provides  that  if  any  necessaries  are  adjudged  by  a  court 
to  be  hoarded  they  shall  be  dis2>os(Hl  of  by  sale  in  such  maiuier  as 
the  court  may  direct,  to  provide  the  most  equitable  distribution. 

Section  8  provides  that  any  pci'son  who  wilfully  destroys  any  nec- 
essaries for  the  pm'pose  of  enhancing  the  price  shall,  upon  convictioa, 
be  fined  not  exceeding  $5,000  or  imprisoned  for  not  more  than  two 
years,  or  both. 

Secti(m  9  provides  that  any  person  who  conspires  to  restrict  th« 
supply  or  distribution  of  any  necessaries  shall,  upon  conviction,  b« 
fined  not  exceeding  $10,000  or  be  imprisoned  for  not  more  than  two 
years,  or  both. 

Section  10  authorizes  the  President  to  requisition  foods,  fuels,  and 
other  supphes  necessary  for  the  support  of  the  Ai-my  or  the  Navy  or 
any  other  pubhc  use  comiected  with  the  common  defense,  and  to  pay 
a  just  compensation  therefor. 

Section  11  authorizes  the  President  to  purchase,  store,  and  to  seU 
for  cash  at  reasonable  prices,  wheat,  flour,  meal,  beans,  and  potatoes. 
Any  moneys  received  by  the  United  States  from  the  disposal  of  neces- 
saries under  this  section  may,  in.  the  discretion  of  the  President,  be 
used  as  a  revolving  fmid. 

Section  12  authorizes  the  President,  if  he  finds  it  necessary  for  the 
common  defense,  to  requisition  and  operate  any  factory,  packing 
house,  oil  pipe  line,  mine,  or  other  plant,  m  or  thi-ough  wliich  any 
necessaries  [as  defined  in  the  act]  are  or  may  be  produced,  prepared, 
or  mined. 

Section  13  autliorizes  the  President,  if  he  finds  it  essential  to  pre- 
vent undue  fluctuation  of  prices,  to  prescribe  regulations,  or  prohibit 
operations,  of  any  exchange  or  similar  institution. 

Section  14  authorizes  the  President  to  fix  a  reasonable  guaranteed 
price  for  wlieat. 

Section  15  provides  that  after  Septeml)er  9,  1917,  no  foods,  fruits, 
food  material,  or  feeds  shall  be  used  in  the  production  of  distilled 
spirits  for  beverage  purposes.  Nor  shaU  there  be  imported  into  the 
United  States  any  distilled  liquors. 

Section  16  authorizes  and  directs  the.  President  to  commandeer, 
for  a  just  compensation,  any  or  all  distilled  spiiits  in  bond  or  m  stock 
at  the  date  of  the  approval  of  tliis  act. 

Section  17  provides  that  any  person  who  willfully  interferes  with 
an  agent  of  the  United  States  in  the  execution  of  tliis  act  shall,  upoa 
conviction,  be  fined  not  exceeding  $1,000,  or  be  imprisoned  for  not 
more  that  one  year,  or  both. 

Section  18  appropriates  $2,500,000  for  the  employment  of  such 
persons  and  tlie  payment  of  such  rent,  etc.,  as  the  President  may- 
deem  advisable  for  the  administration  of  this  act. 

Section  19  appropriates  $150,000,000  for  the  purposes  of  the  act. 

Section  20  provides  that  the  employment  of  any  person  under  the 
provisions  of  this  act  shall  not  exempt  any  such  person  from  mihtury 
service  under  the  selective  di-af  t  law. 


gg  iMHST    SESSiON    (U"    TliK    WAH    CONGRESS. 

Section  21  provides  that  the  Piesideiil  shall  cause  a  detailed  report 
to  be  made  to  the  Congress  on  the  1st  day  of  January  each  year  of  all 
proceedings  had  under  this  act  during  the  year  preceding. 

Sections  22  and  23  relate  to  the  construction  of  the  act  by  the 
courts. 

Section  24  limits  the  provisions  of  this  act  to  the  existing  state  of 
war  between  the  United  States  and  Germany. 

Section  25  authorizes  the  President,  if  in  his  discretion  it  is  neces- 
sary for  an  efhcient  prosecution  of  the  war,  to  fix  the  price  of  coal 
and  coke,  and  to  establish  rules  for  the  regulation  of  their  produc- 
tion, distribution,  and  storage.  If,  in  the  opinion  of  the  President, 
any  produ^cer  or  dealer  fails  to  conform  to  such  prices  or  regulations, 
he  is  authorized  to  requisition  the  plant,  business,  and  appurtenances 
of  the  producer  or  dealer,  and  to  operate  them  during  the  period  of 
the  war. 

Section  26  provides  that  any  person  carrymg  on  interstate  or  for- 
eign commerce  in  &nj  article  suitable  for  human  food,  fuel,  or  other 
necessaries  of  life,  who  stores,  or  destroys  any  such  article  for  the 
purpose  of  affecting  its  market  price,  shall  be  deemed  guilty  of  a 
felony  and,  upon  conviction,  shall  be  punished  by  a  fine  of  not  more 
than  $5,000  or  bv  imprisonment  for  not  more  than  two  years,  or  both. 

Section  27  approp'riates  $10,000,000  with  which  the  President  is 
authorized  to  procure  such  stocks  of  nitrate  of  soda  as  he  may  deem 
necessary  and  find  available,  for  increasing  agricultural  production 
during  the  years  1917  and  1918,  and  to  dispose  of  this  nitrate  for 
cash  at  cost,  including  all  expenses  connected  therewith. 


Public No,  42.  Approved,  September  19. 

Authorizing  the  Southwest   Louisiana  Waterways  Association  to  con- 
struct a  lock  and  dam  in  Merraentau  Kiver,  in  the  State  oi'  Louisiana. 

Eeported  in  the  Senate August  23. 

Passed  in  the  Senate  _  _ . . August  23 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House September  6. 

Passed  in  the  House September  7 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

Public  Resolution— No.  11.  Approved,  September  19. 

Improving  Willapa  Harbor  and  River,  Wash- 
Reported  in  the  Senate , September  1 1 . 

Passed  in  the  Senate September  1 1 ;  viva  voce  vote, 

Re])orted  in  the  House September  14. 

Passed  in  the  House September  14 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

This  resolution  authorized  the  Secretary  of  War  to  proceed  with 
the  work  of  improving  Willapa  Harbor  and  River,  Wash.,  in  accord- 
ance mth  the  authorization  in  the  rivers  and  harbors  act  of  July 
27,  1916,  provided  he  is  assured  that  the  city  of  Raymond  and  other 
local  interests  will  contribute  the  sum  of  $71,775.  one-half  of  the 
actual  estimated  cost  of  dredging  in  the  north  and  south  forks  of  the 
Willapa  River  above  tlunr  junction,  and  comply  with  the  other  con- 
ditions of  cooperation  imposed  by  the  act. 


nUST    SESSION-    OF    THE    WAR    CONGRESS.  29 

Public — No.  43.  Approved,  September  24. 

Second  bond  issue  act. 

Reported  in  the  Hoiiso September  1. 

Passed  in  the  House Septemher  6;  viva  voee  vote. 

lle])()rted  in  the  Senate September  13. 

l^assed  in  the  Senate September  15;  viva  voce  vote. 

Conference  report  accepted September  21. 

The  second  great  bond  issue  act  autliorized  the  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury,  with  the  approval  of  the  President,  to  borrow  on  the  credit 
of  the  United  States  $7,538,945,640,  and  to  issue  therefor  bonds  in 
acUlition  to  the  $2,000,000,000  bonds  aheady  issued  or  offered  for 
subscri])tion  under  authority  of  the  act  approved  April  24,  1917. 
(See  Public — No.  3,  above.)     Tliis  sum  was  divided  as  follows: 

For  establishing  credits  with  allied  Governmeuts SI.  000,  000, 000 

r?.  .lids  authorized  bv  act  of  Apr.  24.  1917 3, 063.  945,  G40 

Bonds  authorized  by  act  of  Aug.  5,  1909  (Panama  Canal  bonds) 225, 000, 000 

Bonds  authorized  by  joint  resolution,  Mar.  4,  1917  (for  na^•al  i)ur- 

poses) 150, 000, 000 

Bonds  authorized  by  act  of  Mar.  3,  1917  (miscellaneous).. 100,000,000 

Total 7,  538,  945,  640 

In  addition  to  these  bonds,  the  act  authorized  the  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury  to  borrow  from  time  to  time,  for  the  purposes  of  the  act, 
and  to  meet  public  expenditiu'es  authorized  by  law,  such  sums  as 
in  his  judgment  might  be  necessary,  and  to  issue  certificates  of  in- 
debtedness at  not  less  than  par,  subject  to  such  terms  and  rates  of 
interest  as  he  might  prescribe.  Tlie  first  bond  issue  act  had  also 
authorized  the  issuance  of  certificates  of  indebtedness,  and  it  was 
liere  provided  that  the  sum  of  such  certificates  authorized  under 
both  acts  should  at  no  time  exceed  $4,000,000,000.^ 

Furthermore,  in  addition  to  these  bonds  and  certificates  of  indebt- 
edness the  act  authorized  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  to  borrow 
from  time  to  time  such  sums  as  in  his  judgment  imght  be  necessary 
to  meet  authorized  pubhc  expenditures,  and  to  issue  therefor  war- 
savings  certificates  subject  to  such  terms  and  conditions  as  he  might 
prescribe.  No  person  might  purchase  more  than  $100  worth  of  such 
certificates  at  any  one  time,  or  hold  an  aggi-egaio  amount  exceeding 
$1,000.  The  entire  simi  of  w^ar-savings  certificates  outstancUng  must 
at  no  time  exceed  $2,000,000,000. 

Finally,  it  was  provided  that  all  bonds  and  certificates  authorized 
by  the  act  should  be  exempt,  both  as  to  principal  and  interest,  from 
all  taxation  now  or  later  on  imposed  by  the  Umted  States,  any  State, 
or  any  local  taxing  authority,  except  (a)  estate  or  inheritance  taxes, 
and  (6)  graduated  adcUtional  income  taxes,  commonly  known  as 
surtaxes,  and  excess  profits  and  war  profits  taxes.  Where  the  prin- 
cipid  does  not  exceed  $5,000  the  interest  on  the  bonds  and  certificates 
is  made  except  from  the  taxes  provided  for  in  subdivision  (5). 


30  FIRST   SESSION    Oi'    THE    WAS   COISICIBESS. 

Public — No.  44,  Approved ,  September  25. 

Extending  the  time  for  the  construction  of  a  bridge  across  the  Arkansas 
River,  at  Little  Rock,  Ark. 

Reported  in  the  vSenate September  1 1 . 

Passed  iu  the  Senate -  September    1 1 ;    viya    voce 

vote. 

Reported  in  the  House September  1 5 , 

Passed  in  the  House Sep  tember    1 5 ;    viva    voce 

vote. 
No  conference. 

Public — No.  45.  ^:_  Approved,  September  27. 

Authorizing  the  construction  of  a  building  for  the  use  of  the  Treasury 
Department, 

Reported  in  the  Senate July  9. 

Passed  in  the  Senate xiugust  15;  45  yeas,  16  nays. 

Reported  in  the  House September  7. 

Passed  in  the  House - September    21 ;    viva    voce 

vote. 
No  conference. 

This  act  appropriated  $1,250,000  for  the  erection  of  a  new  buildmg 
on  the  northeast  corner  of  Pennsylvania  Avenue  and  Madison  Place, 
and  its  connection  hj  tunnel  with  the  present  Treasury  quai'ters, 
diagonally  opposite. 

Public — No.  46.  Approved,  September  28. 

Extending  the  time  for  constructing  a  bridge  across  the  Big  Sandy 
River  near  Warfield,  Ky.,  and  Kermit,  W.  Va. 

Reported  in  the  House July  30. 

Passed  in  the  House September    2 1 ;    viva    voce 

vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate September  24. 

Passed  in  the  Senate September    24 ;    viva    voce 

vote. 
No  conference. 

Public — No.  47.  Approved,  October  1. 

'  Authorizing    the   construction  of  a  bridge  across  the   Saline   River, 
at  or  near  Suttons  Ferry,  Ark. 

Reported  in  the  House July  26. 

Passed  in  the  House September  25 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate . September  27. 

Passed  in  the  Senate September  27 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

Public — No.  48.  Approved,  October  1. 

Creating  an  Aircraft  Board  and  providing  for  its  maintenance. 

Reported  in  the  Senate August  1 1 . 

Passed  in  the  Senate September  12 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House September  24. 

Passed  in  the  House September  25 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 


FIRST  SEvSSION    OF    THE    WAR   CONGRESS.  31 

This  act  created  an  Aircraft  Board  of  nine  members  for  the  purpose 
of  expanding  and  coordinating  the  industrial  activities  relating  to 
aircraft  and  to  facilitate  generally  the  deA-^cuopment  of  air  service. 
Under  the  direction  of  the  Secretfuy  of  "War  and  the  Secretary  of 
the  Navy  the  board  is  authorized  to  supervise  and  dii'ect  the  pro- 
duction of  aircraft  and  aircraft  accessories,  including  the  purchase, 
lease  or  construction  of  j:)lants.  Though  the  board  may  make 
recommendations,  the  actual  contracting  must  be  done  by  the 
authorities  of  the  res]>ective  departments.  The  sum  of  $100,000 
was  appropriated  for  oflice  equipment,  clerks  and  other  employ(>es, 
etc. 


Public — No.  49.  Approved,  October  2. 

Authorizing  exploration  for  and  disposition  of  potassium. 

Reported  in  the  Senate August  2. 

Passed  in  the  Senate August  10 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House September  15. 

Passed  in  the  House .  . .  September  21 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

This  act  provided  regulations  und(^r  wliich  the  Secretary  of  the 
Interior  was  authorized  and  directed  to  issue  permits  to  prospect 
for  potiissium  on  pubhc  lands  of  the  United  States  (except  in  and 
adjacent  to  Searles  Lake,  Cal.). 

Public — No.  50.  Approved,  October  3, 

Revenue  act. 

Reported  in  the  House May  9. 

Passed  in  the  House. .- . May  23;  329  yeas;  76  nays. 

Reported  in  the  Senate. August  6. 

Passed  in  the  Senate ..September  10;  64  yeas;  4  nays. 

Conference  report  accepted October  2. 

The  revenue  act  contains  13  titles,  whose  subject  matter  may  be 
summarized  as  follows : 

Title  I.  ^YaT-income  tax. — This  title  adds  2  per  cent  to  the  existing 
"normal"  tax,  and  to  the  existing  ''additional"  tax  it  adds  from  1 
per  cent  on  the  amount  by  which  the  total  net  income  exceeds  $5,000 
and  does  not  exceed  $7,500,  to  50  per  cent  on  the  amount  by  which 
the  income  exceeds  $1,000,000.  The  title  then  fixes  new  provisions 
for  exemptions  and  for  an  additional  4  per  cent  tax  upon  the  income 
of  corporations  and  insurance  companies. 

Title  II.  War-€xce.ss-j)roJits  tax. — This  title  levies  a  tax  on  excess 
profits  (over  the  ''prewar  period,"  1911,  1912,  and  1913)  varying 
from  20  per  cent  to  60  per  cent  with  the  size  of  the  excess  profits. 
Several  sections  are  devoted  to  a  detailed  definition  of  what  consti- 
tutes ''excass  profits"  for  various  types  and  conditions  of  business. 

Title  III  places  an  additional  tax  on  distilled  spirits,  imj)ort8d 
perfumes  that  contain  distilled  spirits,  beer  and  other  fermented 
liquors,  wines,  sirups,  soft  drinks,  and  mineral  or  table  waters. 

Title  7 F levies  an  increased  tax  upon  cigars,  tobacco,  and  manufac- 
tures of  tobacco. 


3-2  FIRST    SESSION    OF    THE    WAK    CONGRESS. 

Title  V  contains  six  sections.  The  first  four  provide  rates  and  regu- 
lations for  a  tax  upon  transportation  (a)  of  property  by  freight;  (h) 
of  shipments  by  express;  (c)  of  persons  (where  the  fare  exceeds  35 
cents),  (d)  of  oil  by  pipe  line;  (c)  of  messages  by  telegraph  or  tele- 
phone (where  the  charge  is  15  cents  or  more).  The  last  two  sections 
of  the  title  levy,  within  restrictions,  a  tax  upon  (a)  life  insurance ;  (&) 
marine,  inland,  and  fire  insurance;  (c)  casualty  insurance. 

Title  VI.  War-excise  taxes. — By  this  title  a  tax  is  levied  upon  (a) 
automobiles  and  motor  trucks,  3  per  cent  of  the  price  for  which  sold; 
(b)  piano  playei-s,  talldng  machines,  and  records,  3  per  cent;  (c) 
moving  picture  films  (which  have  not  been  exposed),  1  cent  per 
linear  foot;  (d)  moving  picture  films  (ready  for  projection),  one-half 
cent  per  linear  foot;  (e)  jewelry,  3  per  cent;  (/)  sporting  goods  and 
games  (except  playing  cards  and  children's' games),  3  per  cent;  (g) 
perfumes,  powders,  etc.,  2  per  cent;  (7;)  certain  medicinal  preparations 
or  articles,  2  per  cent;  (i)  chewing  gum,  2  per  cent;  (/)  cameras,  3 
per  cent;  (k)  pleasure  boats,  motor  boats  with  fixed  engines,  and 
sailing  boats,  a  rate  varying  with  the  over- all  length. 

Title  VII.  War  tax  on  admissions  and  dries. — This  title  levies  a 
tax  of  1  cent  for  each  10  cents  (or  fraction  of  that  sum)  of  the  amount 
paid  in  any  admission  charges,  except  where  the  maximum  charge 
is  5  cents;  also  in  the  case  of  shows,  rides,  etc.  (where  the  maximum 
charge  for  admission  is  10  cents)  within  outdoor  amusement  parks, 
and  in  the  case  of  the  parks  tliemselves.  A  tax  of  10  per  cent  is 
levied  on  dues  to  any  organization  where  the  amount  exceeds  $12 
a  year,  except  in  the  cases  of  beneficiary  associations  operating 
under  the  lodge  system. 

Title  VIII.  V/ar-stamp  taxes. — This  title  levies  stamp  taxes  upon 
bonds  of  indebtedness,  deeds  of  conveyance,  parcel-post  packages 
on  which  the  postage  amounts  to  25  cents  or  more,  playing  cards, 
custom-house  entries,  etc. 

Title  IX.  War-estate  tax. — In  addition  to  the  existing  estate  taxes, 
this  title  imposes  new  rates  upon  the  transfer  of  the  net  estate  of 
every  decedent,  varying  from  1  \  per  cent  of  the  amount  of  an  estate 
not  in  excess  of  $50,000,  to  10  per  cent  of  the  amount  by  which  an 
estate  exceeds  $1 0,000, 000=  This  tax  does  not  apply  to  estates  of 
decedents  dying  in  military  or  naval  service  during  the  present  war, 
or  if  death  results  within  a  j^ear  after  the  end  of  the  war  from  injuries 
or  diseases  contracted  in  service. 

Title  X  contains  the  administrative  provisions  of  the  act. 

Title  XI  provides  that  the  postage  rate  on  all  fu\st  class  mail  matter 
except  postal  cards  shall,  in  addition  to  the  existing  rate,  be  1  cent 
for  each  ounce;  the  rate  of  postage  on  drop  lettere  of  the  first  class, 
however,  is  fLxed  at  2  cents  an  ounce.  The  title  also  provides  that 
postal  cards  shall  be  carried  at  1  cent  each  in  addition  to  the  existing 
rate,  and  fixes  new  zone  rates  for  second-class  matter,  with  a  dis- 
crimination between  advertisements  and  reading  matter. 

Title  XII  provides  amendments  to  the  existing  income  tax  pro- 
visions, in  the  way  of  defining  exemptions,  gains,  profits,  etc. 

Title  XIII  contains  general  provisions  in  respect  to  the  enforce- 
ment of  the  act. 


FIRST   SESSION    OF    THE    WAR   CONGRESS.  33 

Public — No.  5l.  Approved,  October  5. 

Authorizing  the  construction  of  a  bridge  across  the  headwaters  of 
Mobile  Bay,  Ala. 

Reported  in  the  Senate September  1 2. 

Passed  in  the  Senate September  12;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  tlie  House September  23. 

Passed  in  the  House September  29;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

Public — No.  .52.  Approved,  October  5. 

Authorizing  the  construction  of  a  bridge  across  the  Red  River  at  Sacras 
Ferry,  Tex. 

Reported  in  the  Senate September  12. 

Passed  in  the  Senate September  1 2 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House September  2 1 . 

Passed  in  the  House -  September  2S ;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

Public — No.  53.  Approved,  October  5. 

Authorizing  the  construction  of  a  bridge  across  the  Fox  River  at  Elgin, 

m. 

Reported  in  the  Senate .September  11. 

Passed  in  the  Senate September  1 1 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House September  28. 

Passed  in  the  House Septem.ber  28 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

Public — No.  54.  Approved,  October  5. 

Authorizing  the  construction  of  a  bridge  across  the  Mississippi  River, 
in  Aitkin  County,  Minn. 

Reported  in  the  House September  21. 

Passed  in  the  House September  28 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate October  2. 

Passed  in  the  Senate October  2 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

Public — No.  55.  Approved,  October  5. 

Relating  to  citizenship  of  Americans  serving  in  allied  armies  or  navies. 

Reported  in  the  Senate September  1 1 . 

Passed  in  the  Senate September  1 1 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House September  25. 

Passed  in  the  House October  2 ;  232  yeas,  4  nays. 

No  conference. 

Tliis  act  provided  that  no  citizen  of  the  United  States  serving  in 
an  allied  armj^  or  navy  shall  be  deemed  to  have  lost  his  citizenship 
by  reason  of  any  oath"^or  obligation  taken  by  him  for  the  purpose  of 
entering  such  service. 

14181°— 17 3 


34  FIRST    SESSiON    OF    THE    WAR   CONGRESS. 

Pnblk — No.  56.  Approved,  October  5. 

Authorizing  the  county  of  Clailam,  Wash.,  to  convey  certain  lands  to 
the  city  of  Port  Angeles. 

Reported  in  the  Senate July  9. 

Passed  in  the  Senate July  9 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House October  2, 

Passed  in  the  House October  2 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

'No  conference. 

Public — No.  57.  Approved,  October  5. 

Authorizing  the  counties  of  Cass  and  Itasca,  Minn.,  to  construct  a 
bridge  across  the  Mississippi  River. 

Reported  in  the  Senate June  28. 

Passed  in  the  Senate June  28;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House .  -  July  14. 

Passed  in  the  House October  2 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

Public — No.  58.  Approved,  October  5. 

Authorizing  the  counties  of  Cass  and  Itasca,  Minn.,  to  construct  a 
bridge  across  the  Mississippi  River. 

Reported  in  the  Senate September  11. 

Passed  in  the  Senate September  11 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House September  21. 

Passed  in  the  House October  2 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

(Though  carrying  similar  titles,  tliis  act  and  the  one  preceding  it 
made  authorization  for  different  bridges.) 


Public — No.  59.  Approved,  October  5. 

Authorizing  the  construction  of  a  bridge  across  the  Mississippi  River, 
between  Webber  Falls  and  Gore,  Okla. 

Reported  in  the  Senate August  13. 

Passed  in  the  Senate, August  13 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House September  2 1 . 

Passed  iii  the  House October  2 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

Public— -No.  60.  Approved,  October  5. 

Authorizing  the  construction  of  a  bridge  across  the  Waccamaw  River, 
at  or  near  Pireway  Ferry,  Ark. 

Reported  in  the  Senate September  20. 

Passed  in  the  Senate September  20 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House ..September  27. 

Passed  in  the  House October  2;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 


FIRST    SESSION    OF   THE    WAK   CONGEESS.  35 

Public — No.  61,  Approved,  October  5. 

Providing  for  a  larger  circulation  of  notes  of  small  denomination. 

Reported  in  the  Senate .September  29. 

Passed  in  the  Senate September  29 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House ..October  2. 

Passed  in  the  House October  2 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

Tills  act  provided  that  any  national  banking  association  shall, 
upon  comphance  with  the  laws  applicable  thereto,  be  entitled  to 
receive  from  the  Comptroller  of  the  CiuTcncy,  or  to  issue  or  reissue, 
or  place  in  circulation,  notes  in  denominations  of  $1,  %2,  $5,  $10,  $20, 
$50,  and  $100  in  such  proportions  as  the  bank  may  elect,  provided 
that  no  bank  shall  receive  or  have  in  circulation  at  any  one  time 
more  than  $25,000  in  notes  of  the  denominations  of  $1  and  $2. 


Public  resolution — No.  12.  Approved,  October  5. 

Suspending  labor  requirements  of  owners  of  mining  claims  during  the 
war. 

Reported  in  the  Senate. ..June  30. 

Passed  in  the  Senate , Juiy  9;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House.... August  7. 

Passed  in  the  House September  2 1 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Conference  report  accepted October  1. 

This  act  suspended,  during  the  war  with  Germany,  the  requii'e- 
meut  that  each  year  not  less  than  $100  worth  of  labor  shall  be  per- 
formed or  improvements  made  on  mining  claims,  in  the  case  of  all 
owners  who  expend  the  sum  of  $100  in  the  raising  or  manufacture  of 
products  necessary  for  the  maintenance  of  the  Army,  Navy,  or  the 
people  of  the  United  States,  or  shall  perform  25  days  of  labor  in 
any  beneficial  occupation,  or  pay  into  the  Treasmy  of  the  United 
States  $100. 


Public  resolution — No.  13.  Approved,  October  5. 

Advancing  October  salaries  to  Senate  and  House  employees. 

Reported  in  the  Senate October  3. 

Passed  in  the  Senate October  3 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House October  4. 

Passed  in  the  House October  4;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 


Public — No.  S2.  Approved,  October  6. 

Providing  an  air-station  site  for  the  Navy. 

Reported  in  the  Senate August  2. 

Passed  in  the  Senate August  2 1 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House October  1 . 

Passed  in  the  House. October  2;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

This  act  carried  an  appropriation  of  $150,000  for  an  air-station  site 
at  Cape  May,  N.  J. 


36  FIEST   SESSION    OF    THE    WAR   CONGRESS. 

Public — No.  63.  Approved,  October  6. 

Aiithorizing  the  construction  of  a  bridge  across  the  little  Kanawha 
River,  in  Gilmer  County,  W.  Va, 

Reported  in  the  Senate September  12. 

Passed  in  the  Senate September  1 2 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House September  2 1 . 

Passed  in  the  House October  4;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 


Public — No.  64.  Approved,  October  6. 

Second  war  appropriation  act. 

Reported  in  the  House September  6. 

Passed  in  the  House September  1 8 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate September  24. 

Passed  in  the  Senate September  25 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Conference  report  accepted October  4. 

The  second  great  war  appropriations  act  carried  $5,356,666,016.93. 
The  act  made  further  appropriations  of  $635,000,000  for  the  emer- 
gency shipping  fund,  and  raised  the  limit  of  cost  to  carry  out  the 
purposes  of  the  shipping  act  to  $1,734,000,000.  The  other  major 
appropriations  made  and  authorized  in  the  act  v/ere  as  follows: 

Subsistence  of  the  x\i-my,  $250,000,000. 

Regular  supplies.  Quartermaster  Corps,  $125,000,000. 

Transportation  of  the  Army  and  its  supplies,  $375,000,000. 

Clothing  and  camp  and  garrison  equipage,  $350,000,000. 

Medical  and  hospital  department,  $100,000,000. 

Engineer  operations  in  tlie  field,  $186,000,000. 

Ordnance  stores  and  supplies,  $480,047,000. 

Mountain,  field,  and  siege  cannon,  $695,100,000. 

Ammamition  for  mountain,  field,  and  siege  cannon,  $1,440,182,750. 

Alteration  and  maintenance  of  mobile  artiUer}",  $158,334,000. 

Naval  emergency  fund,  $100,000,000. 


Public — No.  65.  Approved,  October  6. 

Establishing  a  port  of  entry  at  Northgate,  N.  Dak. 

Reported  in  the  Senate June  1 5. 

Passed  in  the  Senate June  15;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House October  3. 

Passed  in  the  House October  4;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 


Public — No.  66.  Approved,  October  6. 

Making  further  provision  for  the  allotment  of  pay  of  officers,  enlisted 
men,  and  civilian  employees  of  the  Army. 

Reported  in  the  Senate September  14. 

Passed  in  the  Senate September  25 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House October  1. 

Passed  in  the  Plouse October  4;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 


FIRST   SESSION    OF    TILE    WAR    CONGRESS.  37 

This  act  amondod  an  act  of  March  2,  1899,  by  permitting,  under 
such  regulations  as  the  Secretary  of  War  might  prescribe,  a  soldier 
or  civilian  employee  of  tlie  War  Department  on  fon-ign  ckit}^  to  make 
allotments  of  his  pay  for  the  support  of  depond^nt  relatives,  or  for 
such  otiier  purposes  as  the  Secretary  might  deem  proper. 


Public — No.  67.  Approved,  October  6. 

Authorizing  the  construction  of  a  bridge  across  the  Little  River,  in 
Poinsett  County,  Ark. 

Reported  in  the  Senate October  3. 

Passed  in  the  Senate October  3 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House October  4. 

Passed  in  the  House October  4 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 


Public — No.  68.  Approved,  October  6. 

Regulating  the  manufacture  and  use  of  explosives  in  time  of  war. 

Reported  in  the  House May  1 . 

Passed  in  the  House May  31 ;  116  yeas ;  63  nays. 

Reported  in  the  Senate July  17. 

Passed  in  the  Senate September  1 1 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Conference  report  accepted. -September  29. 


Public — No.  60.  Approved,  October  6. 

Extending  he  time  for  the  construction  of  a  bridge  across  Flint  River, 
in  the  State  of  Georgia. 

Reported  in  the  House J^dy  14. 

Passed  in  the  House . October  2 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate -  October  5. 

Passed  in  the  vSenate October  5;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 


Public — No.  70.  Approved,  October  6. 

ProvidiMg  for  the  reimbursement  of  seamen  for  property  lost  or  de- 
stroyed in  service. 

Reported  in  the  House August  3. 

Passed  in  the  House October  2 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate -October  5. 

Passed  in  the  Senate October  5;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

Public — No.  71.  •  Approved,  October  6. 

Permitting  public-land  affidavits  to  be  taken  before  military  authori- 
ties. 

Reported  in  the  House September  1 4. 

Passed  in  the  House October  2 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate October  4. 

Passed  in  the  Senate October  4 :  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 


88  FIKST   SESSION    OF   THE    WAR  CONGRESS, 

This  act  amended  the  Revised  Statutes  by  permitting  homestead 
and  other  public-land  affidavits  to  be  taken  before  the  military  com- 
mander of  any  person  engaged  in  the  military  or  naval  service  of  the 
United  States. 


Public— No.  72.  Approved,  October  6. 

Providing  that  the  post  office  constructed  at  Diirant,  Okla.,  shall  also 
be  used  for  other  Government  purposes. 

Reported  in  the  House September  21. 

Passed  in  the  House October  2;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate October  4. 

Passed  in  the  Senate October  4;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 


Public — No.  73.  Approved,  October  6. 

Perinitting  coastwise  trade  by  foreign  vessels. 

Reported  in  the  House September  24. 

Passed  in  the  House September  28 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate October  5. 

Passed  in  the  Senate October  5;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

This  act  gave  the  Shipping  Board  power  to  suspend  existing  pro- 
visions of  lavv'  and  permit  vessels  of  foreign  registry  and  foreign-built 
vessels  admitted  to  American  registry  (under  the  act  of  Aug"  18,  1914) 
to  engage  in  the  coastwise  trade  of  the  United  States,  except  in  the 
coastwise  trade  of  Alaska.  It  was  provided  that  in  issuing  permits 
the  Shipping  Board  should  give  preference  to  vessels  of  foreign  reg- 
istry owned,  leased,  or  chartered  by  citizens  or  corporations  of  the 
United  States.  The  powers  granted  in  the  act  were  limited  to  the 
present  war  and  a  period  of  120  days  thereafter. 


Public — No.  74.  -  Approved,  October  6. 

Providing  for  the  payment  of  six  months'  gratuity  to  dependents. 

Reported  in  the  House October  1 .  / 

Passed  in  the  House October  2;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate October  4. 

Passed  in  the  Senate October  5;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

Tliis  act  amended  existing  law,  which  provided  for  the  payment  of 
six  months'  gratuity  to  the  dependents  of  a  deceased  officer  or  en- 
listed man  on  the  active  list  of  the  Navy  and  Marine  Corps,  by 
inserting  after  the  words  ''on  the  active  list  of  the  Navy  or  Marine 
Corps"  the  words  "or  of  any  retired  officer  or  enUsted  man  serving 
on  active  duty  during  the  continuance  of  the  present  war." 


FIRST  SESSION    OF    THE    WAR    CONGRESS.  39 

Public — No.  75.  Approved,  October  G. 

Authorizing  the  construction  of  a  bridge  across  the  Mahoning  River, 
near  Warren,  Ohio. 

ReportcJ  in  the  House Ofto})er  1 . 

Passed  in  the  House October  2;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate Oct()])cr  8 . 

Passed  in  the  Senate October  .3 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

Public — No.  76.  Approved,  October  6. 

Authorizing  the  issuance  of  Reserve  Corps  and  National  Army  commis- 
sions in  the  lower  grades  of  staff  officers,  and  removing  the  fixed  age 
limits  for  the  discharge  of  Reserve  Corps  officers. 

Reported  in  the  House October  1 . 

Passed  in  the  House  - October  2 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate October  4. 

Passed  in  the  Senate October  5;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

Public — No.  77.  Approved,  October  6. 

Extending  to  the  Navy  the  liquor  and  immorality  sections  of  the  Army 
draft  law. 

Reported  in  the  House October  1 . 

Passed  in  the  House October  2 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate Octo})er  4 . 

Passed  in  the  Senate October  5;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

Public— No.  78.  Approved,  October  6. 

Relating  to  court-martial  procedure  in  the  Navy. 

Reported  in  the  House October  1 . 

Passed  in  the  House October  2 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate October  4. 

Passed  in  tiie  Senate October  5 ;  viva  voce  vote 

No  conference. 

This  act  provided  that  when  activelv  serving  under  the  Navy  De- 
partment in  time  of  w^ar  or  during  an  emergency,  commissioned 
officers  of  the  Naval  Reserve  Force,  Marine  Corps  Reserve,  National 
Naval  Volunteers,  etc.,  should  be  empowered  to  serve  on  naval  courts- 
martial  and  deck  courts,  under  such  regulations  as  the  Secretary  of 
the  Navy  might  prescribe. 

Public — No.  79.  Approved,  October  6. 

Authorizing  the  appointment  of  chaplains  at  large  in  the  Army, 

Reported  in  the  Senate Jul}'  24. 

Passed  in  the  Senate September  13;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House September  28. 

Passed  in  the  House October  4 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

This  act  authorized  the  President  to  appoint  for  service  during  the 
present  emergency  not  exceeding  20  chaplains  at  large,  representing 
religious  sects  not  recognized  in  existing  law,  in  the  apportionment 
of  chaplains. 


40  FIKST   SESSION    OF    THE    WAR    CONGEESS, 

Public — No.  80,  Approved,  October  6. 

Preventing  the  publication  of  military  inventions. 

Keported  in  the  Senate September  1 1 . 

Passed  in  the  Senate September  1 1 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House October  5. 

Passed  in  the  House October  5 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

This  act  provides  that  whenever  during  a  time  when  the  United- 
States  is  at  war  the  pubUcation  of  an  invention  by  the  granting  of 
a  patent  might,  in  the  opinion  of  the  Commissioner  of  Patents,  be 
detrimental  to  pubUc  safety  or  of  assistance  to  the  enemy,  he  may 
order  that  the  invention  be  kept  secret,  and  withhold  the  patent  until 
the  termination  of  the  Avar. 


Public — No.  81.  Approved,  October  6. 

Authorizing  the  construction  of  a  bridge  across  the  Tug  River,  near 

Kermlt,  W.  Va. 

Keported  in  the  Senate September  11. 

Passed  in  the  Senate September  1 1 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House September  15. 

Passed  in  the  House September  15;  viva  voce  vote. 

Conference  report  accepted October  5. 


Public — No.  82.  Approved,  October  6. 

Amendments  relating  to  workmen's  compensation  laws. 

Reported  in  the  Senate October  2. 

Passed  in  the  Senate October  2 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House October  5. 

Passed  in  the  House October  5 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

The  act  amended  sections  24  and  256  of  the  Judicial  Code,  with  the 
intent  of  protecting,  under  the  workmen's  compensation  law  of  any 
State,  workers  in  and  about  vessels  at  the  docks. 


Public — No.  83.  Approved,  October  6. 

Authorizing  the  Secretary  of  War  to  donate  two  brass  cannon  for  a 
soldiers'  memorial  at  Carthage,  N.  C. 

Reported  in  the  Senate September  26. 

Passed  in  the  Senate . September  26 ;  viva  voce  vote 

Reported  in  the  House October  5. 

Passed  in  the  House October  5;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 


FIRST    SESSION    OF    THE    WAR    CONGRESS.  41 

Public — No.  84.  Approved,  October  6. 

Authorizinji  the  construction  of  a  bridge  across  the  Arkansas  River  be- 
tween Little  Rock  and  Argenta,  Ark. 

Reported  in  the  Senate.. Oetobcr  4. 

Passed  in  the  vSenate October  4 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House October  5. 

Passed  in  the  House. October  5;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 


Public— No.  85.  Approved,  October  6. 

Authorizing  the  construction  of  a  bridge  across  the  Rio  Grande  River, 
within  or  near  the  city  limits  of  El  Paso,  Tex. 

Reported  in  the  Senate October  5. 

Passed  in  the  Senate October  5;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  House October  5. 

Passed  in  the  House October  5 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 


Public— No.  86.  Approved,  October  6. 

Providing  new  regulations  for  commissions  in  the  Medical  and  Dental 
Corps. 

Reoorted  in  the  House June  21. 

Passed  in  the  House June  29 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate September  1 8. 

Passed  in  the  Senate October  5 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 


Public— No.  87.  Approved,  October  6. 

Fixing  40  cents  as  the  commutation  price  of  the  Navy  ration. 

Reported  in  the  House August  3. 

Passed  in  the  House September  25 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate October  4. 

Passed  in  the  Senate October  5 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 


Public— No.  88.  Approved,  October  6. 

Establishing  new  ratings  for  enginemen,  blacksmiths,  etc.,  in  the  Navy. 

Reported  in  the  House August  3 . 

Passed  in  the  House September  25 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate October  4. 

Passed  in  the  Senate October  5;  x^iva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 


42  FIRST    SESSION    OF    THE    WAR   CONGRESS. 

Public— No.  89.  Approved,  October  6. 

Kelating  to  the  distribution  of  Cavalry  units. 

Reported  in  the  House September  6. 

Passed  in  the  House September  14;  riva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate October  4. 

Passed  in  the  Senate October  .5 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

This  act  authorized  the  President,  during  the  existing  emergency, 
to  organize  and  use  as  Field  Artillery  or  Infantry  such  regiments  of 
the  Cavalry  as  he  might  determine. 


Public — No.  90.  Approved,  October  6. 

Military  and  naval  insurance  act» 

Reported  in  the  House September  6. 

Passed  in  the  House September    13 ;    319    yeas,    0 

nays. 

Reported  in  the  Senate October  2. 

Passed  in  the  Senate October  4;  71   yeas,  0  nays. 

Conference  report  accepted October  5. 

This  act  carried  a  total  appropriation  of  $176,250,000.  It  estab- 
hshed  a  Division  of  Military  Insurance  (in  tlie  War-Risk  Insurance 
Bureau  of  the  Treasury  Department)  to  provide  (a)  govermnental 
family  allowances  and  compidsory  allotment  of  pay  for  the  support 
of  dependents;  (&)  compensation  for  death,  or  disability  due  to  injurj?^ 
or  disease  resulting  from  service;  (c)  ability  to  get  additional  insurance 
at  low  cost. 


Fnbllc — No.  91.  Approved,  October  6.  " 

Trading  with  the  enemy  act. 

Reported  in  tlie  House  . June  21 . 

Passed  in  the  House July  1 1 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate August  31 . 

Passed  in  the  Senate September  12 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Conference  report  accepted September  25. 

This  act  makes  it  unlawful  for  any  person  in  the  United  States, 
except  with  the  license  of  the  President,  to  have  any  form  of  business 
or  commercial  intercourse  with  an  enemy  or  ally  of  any  enemy. 
Whenever,  during  the  present  war,  the  President  shall  deem  that 
the  public  safety  so  demands  he  may  cause  to  be  censored,  under  such 
regulations  as  he  may  establish,  communications  passing  between  the 
United  States  and  any  foreign  country  he  may  from  time  to  time 
specify.  He  has  also  the  power  to  place  an  embargo  upon  imports 
from  any  country  he  ma^/  specify. 

The  act  contains  provisions  for  the  creation  of  an  "ahen  property 
custodian"  and  for  the  administration  of  his  duties.  It  also  provides, 
in  an  amendment  made  to  the  act  in  conference,  that  it  shall  be 
unlawful  "to  transport,  carry,  or  otherwise  publish  or  distribute 
any  matter  wliich  is  made  nonmailable"  by  the  provisions  of  the 
espionage  act. 


FIRST    SESSION    OF    THE    WAR    CONGRESS.  43 

Public  resolution — No.  11.  Approved,  October  6. 

Authorizing  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior  to  expend  funds  in  New  Mex- 
ico and  Texas  for  immediate  and  necessary  drainage  purposes. 

Roportccl  in  the  Senate Sei)toml)er  24. 

Passed  in  the  Senate September  25 ;  viva  voca  vote. 

lleported  in  the  House October  5. 

Passed  in  the  House October  5;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

Public  resolution— No.  15.  Approved,  October  6. 

Export  of  distilled  spirits. 

E(>j)orted  in  the  Senate  - September  1 1 . 

Passed  in  the  Senate September  1 1 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

Keported  m  the  House .October  8. 

Passed  in  the  House October  5 ;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

This  act  authorized  and  directed  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  to 
permit  the  entry  of  distilled  spii'its  into  bonded  warehouses,  con- 
ditioned for  export  to  some  foreign  country  within  three  years  from 
the  date  of  entry  into  the  United  States. 

Public  resolution— No.  18.  Approved,  October  6. 

Relating  to  land  for  the  use  of  the  Ordnance  Department 

Reported  m  the  House October  6. 

Passed  in  the  House. October  6;  viva  voce  vote. 

Reported  in  the  Senate October  6. 

Passed  in  the  Senate October  6;  viva  voce  vote. 

No  conference. 

This  act  authorized  the  expenditure  of  money  upon  land  purchased 
for  the  use  of  the  Ordnance  Department,  without  reference  to  section 
355  of  the  Revised  Statutes,  which  provided  that  before  such  ex- 
penditure is  made  the  title  of  the  land  shall  be  certified  ])y  the  Attorney 
General  and  the  consent  of  the  State  to  the  acquisition  shall  have 
been  given. 


SUMMARY  OF  APPROPRIATIONS  AND  CONTRACT  AUTHOR- 
IZATIONS FOR  THE  FISCAL  YEAR  1918. 

statement  showing  by  acts  the  appropriations  for  the 
fiscal  year  1918  made  during  the  Sixty-fourth  Con- 
gress, second  session  (inchiding  appropriations 
made  by  the  Army.  Military  Academy,  rivers  and 
harbors,  sundry  ci\il,  and  general  deficiency  acts 
passed  dming  the  Sixty-fifth  Congress,  first  ses- 
sion): 

Agriculture 125, 929, 113. 00 

Army 273, 046, 322. 50 

Diplomatic  and  Consular ,5, 082, 746. 66 

District  of  Columbia 14, 172, 997.  85 

Fortification 51,396,  .593.00 

Indian 11, 589, 736. 67 

Legislative,  executive,  and  judi.ial 39, 894,  .592. 42 

Military  Academy 1, 344,  896. 18 

Na\  al 517, 273, 802. 08 

Pension 160, 060, 000. 00 

Post  OfTice 331, 851, 170. 00 

River  and  harbor 27, 826, 1.50. 00 

Sundry  civil 147, 363,928. 77 

Total 1^  606, 832, 049. 13 

General  deficiency 163, 841, 400. 52 

Urgent  deficiency 4'.  578'  250. 00 

Miscellaneous 1  41, 093. 670. 08 

Permanent  annual  and  indefinite  appropriations  145, 864, 830. 32 

Total SI,  962, 210, 200. 05 

Increased  compensation  of  5  and  10  per  cent  to  cer- 
tain employees  (estimated) 15, 000, 000. 00 

Total    regular    appropriations,    Sixty-fourth 

Congress,  second  session 1, 977, 210, 200. 05 

Appropriations  for  the  fiscal  year  1918,  made  during 
the  Sixty-fifth  Congress,  first  session  (exclusive  of 
Army,  Military  Academy,  river  and  harbor,  sun- 
dry civil,  and  general  deficiency  acts): 
Expenses  incident  to  the  Sixtv-fifth  Congress, 

first  session ." S68, 020. 00 

Loans  to  the  allies  under  act  of  Apr.  24,  1917...  2  3,000,000,000.00 
Expenses  of  preparation  and  issue  of  bonds  and 

certificates  of  indebtedness  vmder  act  of  Apr. 

24,  1917 7, 063, 945. 46 

Bureau  of  War-Risk  Insurance,  cost  of  insuring 

vessels  an  d  their  cargoes,  etc 45, 150, 000. 00 

Urgent  deficiency  act  for  the  Military  and  Naval 

Establishments 3, 281, 094, 541. 60 

Increase  of  Signal  Corps  of  the  Army,  including 

purchase,  operation,  etc.,  of  airships 640, 000. 000. 00 

Expenses  under  act  to  encourage  production, 

conserve  the  supplv,  and  control  distribution 

of  food  products  and  fuel 162, 500, 000. 00 

Expenses  under  the  act  to  stimulate  agriculture 

and  facilitate  the  distribution  of  agricultural 

products 11, 346, 400. 00 

Additional  loans  to  the  allies  under  act  of  Sept. 

24,  )917 2  4, 000, 000. 000. 00 

Expenses  of  preparation  and  issue  of  bonds,  cer- 
tificates of  indebtedness,  and  v\-ar-saving  cer- 
tificates    21, 377, 890. 92 

Expenses  under  the  act  to  define,  regulate,  and 

punish  trading  with  the  enemy 450, 000. 00 

Expenses  under  the  act  establishing  a  military 

and  naval  familv  allowance,  compensation, 

and  insurance  fund  for  the  benefit  of  soldiers 

and  sailors  and  their  families 176, 250, 000. 00 

Urgent  deficiency  act  for  the  fiscal  year  1918  and 

prior  years  on  account  of  war  expenses 5, 356, 666, 016. 93 

Interest  on  bonds  and  certificates  (estimated).       200,000,000.00 

Total  appropriations,  Sixtv-fifth  Congress, 
first  session ." 16, 901, 966, 814. 91 

Total  appropriations  for  the  fiscal  year  1918 18,879, 177,014.  96 

'  This  sum  includes  an  approprial  ion  of  .?10,000,000  for  the  War-Risk  Insurance  Bureau,  which  has  been 
repealed  bv subsequent  legislation. 

2  The  .153,000,000,000  and  S4,000,000,0fl0,  making  in  all  $7,000,000,000,  to  meet  loans  to  the  allies,  is  reim- 
bursable by  the  foreign  governments  to  whom  the  advances  are  made. 

44 


FIRST    SESSION    OP    THE    WAR    CONGRESS.  45 

Conlnut  ;ii(h()iiz;»ti()iis,  by  at-ts  in  ailiiilion  to  ap- 
piopriution;;  ln'ictoforo  made,  to  bo  iivt  by  future 
approi)rialiotis  by  Congress,  authorized  duriii},'  tlie 
fiscal  year  liUS: 

Fortification S-),2.-)0,000.00 

Naval S0,I45,r)f2.oo 

Sundry  civil 900,000.00 

Urgent  deficiency  appropriation  act  of  June  24, 

1917 16,  5.jO,000.  00 

Urgent  deficiency  appropriation  act  of  Oct.  — , 

1917 2, 401, 458, 39!.  50 

Act  to  authorize  the  construction  of  a  building 
for  the  use  of  the  Treasury  Department 1 ,  2r.0, 000. 00 

■f  o(  al  contract  authorizations $2, 511 ,  .55'J,  925. 50 

Total  appropriations  and  contract  authorizations,  fiscal  year  1918 .  S21,-{90,7!0,940.46 

Kccapiiulation:  ,        .  ,  ,,__  „,.  „„»  ., 

Total  appropriations,  Sixtv-fonrth  Coucre.ss,  second  session , }.'  rJ; '  ,J.o'  sVi'  ni 

Total  appropriations.  Sixty-fifth  Congress,  first  session lo-  JVJ '  -v'  ,-},l'  i\ 

Total  contract  authorizations,  fiscal  year  1918 , 2, oil,  oo?,  025. 50 

Total  appropriations  and  contract  authorizations,  fiscal  year  1918 21, 3'i0, 7.50,940.46 

Total  appropriations,  fiscal  year  1918,  exclusive  of  ?7,000,000,000  for  loans  to  the       ^,.,  ,.,  „,,  _ 
allies  11,8/9,1/7,014.96 

Total  appropriati'onrandeoninxct  authorizations,  e.xclu.sive  of  $7,000,00^^ 
totheallies 14,390,730,940.46 


AA    000  622  799    5 


INDEX. 


[Tlie  numbors  refer  to  pages.3 


Admissions  and  dues,  taxes  levied  upon,  32. 

Aircraft  iJoard,  creation  of,  30. 

Appropriations,  to  cover  current  expenses  of 
Congress,  6;  deficiencies  appropriations  act,  6; 
bond  issue  acts,  6,  -13:  regular  Army  appropria- 
tions act,  9;  regular  Military  Academy  appropria- 
tions act,  13;  sundry  ci^'ll  appropriations  act,  15; 
first  war  appropriations  act,  15;  appropriations 
for  session  employees  of  Congress,  21;  rivers  and 
harbors  apjiropriations  act,  24;  appropriations 
carried  in  the  food-survey  act,  26;  appropriations 
carried  in  the  food-control  act,  26-27;  October 
salaries  advanced  to  Senate  and  House  em- 
ployees, 35;  second  war  appropriations  act,  36; 
statement  of  appropriations  and  contract  author- 
izations for  the  fiscal  year  1918,  44-45. 

Army,  regular  appropriations  act  for,  9;  raised  to 
maximum  strength,  10;  provisions  for  drafted 
armjs  10-11;  appropriations  for,  in  first  war  ap- 
propriations act,  15-16;  pro\'isions  relating  to  the 
service  of  certain  retiri^sd  officers,  18;  aviation  act, 
21;  aviation  board  created,  30;  citizens  ser\ing  in 
allied  armies ,  33 ;  provision  for  allotment  of  pay ,  36; 
appropriations  for,  in  second  war  appropriations 
act,  36;  Reserve  Corps  and  National  Army  com- 
missions in  the  lower  grades  of  staff  officers,  39; 
fixed  age  limits  for  discharge  of  Reserve  Corps 
ollicers  removed,  39;  appointment  of  chaplains, 
39;  commissions  in  Medical  and  Dental  Corps,  41; 
regiments  of  Cavah'v  to  be  used  as  Field  Artillery 
or  Infantry,  42;  land  for  use  of  Ordnance  Depart- 
ment, 43.    See  aUo  Secretary  of  War. 

Automobiles  and  motor  trucks,  taxes  le^^ed  upon, 
32. 

Aviation  act,  21. 

BanlvS,  authorized  to  issue  notes  of  small  denomina- 
tion, 35.    See  also  Federal  reserve  act. 

Bond  issue  acts,  6,  29. 

Bridge,  in  Morrison  County,  Minn.,  11;  at  Bemidji, 
Minn.,  11;  at  Vincennes,  Ind.,  12;  at  Fort  Smith, 
Ark.,  22;  in  Cass  County,  Ind.,  23;  across  the 
Little  River,  Ark.,  23;  near  Wisner,  La.,  23;  at 
Little  Rock,  Ark.,  30;  across  the  Big  Sandy  River, 
30;  at  Sutton's  Ferry,  Ark.,  30;  across  Mobile 
Bay,  Ala.,  33;  at  Sacras  Ferry,  Tex.,  33;  at  Elgin, 
111.',  33;  in  Aitkin  County,  Minn.,  33:  in  Cass  and 
Itasca  Comities,  Minn.,  34;  between  Webber  Falls 
and  Gore,  Okla.,  34;  at  Pireway.  Ark.,  34;  in 
Gilmer  County,  W.  Va.,  36;  in  Poinsett  County, 
Ark.,  37;  across  the  Flint  River,  Ga.,  37;  near 
Warren,  Oliio,  39;  near  Kermit,  W.  Va.,  40; 
between  Little  Rock  and  Argenta,  Ark.,  41;  at 
El  Paso,  Tex.,  41. 

Carthage,  N.  C,  soldier's  memorial  act,  40. 

Citizenship  of  Americans  serving  in  alUed  armies 
or  na%'ies,  33. 

Clallam  Coimty,  Wash.,  authorized  to  convey  cer- 
tain lands  to  the  city  of  Port  Angeles,  34. 

Clayton  Act,  not  to  be  construed  as  modified,  24-25. 

Coal,  President  authorized  to  fix  price  of,  to  estab- 
lish rules  for  production  of,  to  requisition  plants, 
business,  and' appurtenances  of  producers  of  and 
dealers  in,  28. 

Coke,  President  authorized  to  fix  prices  of,  to  estab- 
lish rules  for  production  of,  to  requisition  plants, 
business,  and  appurtenances  of  producers  of  and 
dealers  in,  28. 

Conscription,  regulations  to  govern,  10. 

Contracts,  pro\'isions  relative  to  award  of,  26. 

Declaration  of  war,  5. 
Deficiencies  appropriations  act,  6. 
Dependents,  payment  of  six  months'  gratuity  to, 
38.    See  also  Insurance. 


Dumnt,  Okla.,  post  oflice  at,  to  be  used  for  other 
Government  purposes,  :3S.  , 

Embargo,  powers  authorized  to  President,  18. 

Entrymen,  act  for  the  relief  of  homestead  entry- 
men,  22;  act  for  the  relief  of  dcscrt-land  catry- 
men.  23;  act  for  relief  of  o^vners  of  mining  ciaiiiis, 
35. 

Espionage,  act  defining  and  punishing,  17-18. 

Estate  taxes,  42. 

Exchanges,  President  authorized  to  prescribe  regu- 
lations for,  or  proliibit  operations  of,  26. 

Excise  taxes,  in  revenue  act,  32. 

Explosives,  regulations  for  manufacture  and  use 
of,  in  time  of  war,  37. 

Federal  reserve  act,  amendments  to,  19. 

Fleet  Naval  Reserve,  authorization  for  training 
on  land  of,  7. 

Flood,  Representative  H.  I'.,  remarks  on  declara- 
tion of  war,  5. 

Flour,  President  authorized  to  purchase  store  and 
sell,  27. 

Food.    Sre  Fond-control  act  and  Food-survey  act. 

Food-control  act,  26-28. 

Food-survey  act,  25-26. 

Foreign  relations,  penalties  for  distm-bance  of,  18. 

Fuels,  President  authorized  to  requisition,  27. 

Gerry,  Senator  P.  G.,  authorized  to  enter  into 
contract  for  use  of  yacht,  10, 

Hoarding,  provisions  to  prohibit,  26-28. 

HolUs,  Senator  Henry  F.,  remarks  on  priorities 

act,  24. 
Home  guards,  act  to  authorize  equipment  for,  15. 
Hydrographic  Oflice,  detail  of  additional  officers 

to,  8. 

Imports,  President  authorized  to  place  embargo 

upon.  42. 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  regulations  for 

sale,  holding,  and  convejing  of  real  estate  of,  9. 
Insurance,  amendments  to  ^var-risk  insurance  act, 

14;  taxes  levied  upon,  32;  military  and  naval 

insurance  act,  42. 
Interstate  Commerce  Commission,  authorized  to 

estabUsh  car  service  rules,  13;  increase  in  inem- 

bership  of,  24. 
Inventions,  publication  of  military,  40. 

Lenroot,  Representative  I.  L.,  remarks  on  con- 
scription bill,  10. 

Licenses,  President  authorized  to  prescribe  regula- 
tions for  issuance  of,  26-28,  42. 

Liquors,  taxes  levied  upon,  31.    See  also  Spirits. 

Lock,  authorization  to  construct,  in  Mermentau 
River,  28. 

Lodge,  Senator  H.  C,  remarks  on  declaration  of 
war,  5. 

Mails,  use  of,  for  treasonable  or  seditious  matter,  17. 

Mann,  Representative  James  R.,  remarks  on  avia- 
tion Inll,  21. 

Marine  Corps.    See  Navy. 

Meal,  President  authorized  to  purchase,  store,  and 
sell,  27. 

Mileage,  appropriations  for,  6. 

Military  Academy,  regular  appropriations  for,  13. 

Mining  claims,  relieving  o^^'^^ers  of,  from  performing 
assessment  work,  21;  suspending  labor  require- 
ments of  owners  of,  35. 

MiUliiis,  Mrs.  Nancy  E . ,  an  act  for  the  reUef  of,  22. 

MouopoUzation,  provisions  to  prohibit,  26-28. 

47 


48 


FIRST    SESSION    OF    THE    WAR    CONGRESS. 


Naval  Academy,  increasing  the  number  of  enlist- 
ments at,  until  September  1,  1918,  8. 

Naval  Reserve.    See  Navy. 

Navy,  provision  for  extension  of  minority  enlist- 
ments in  the  naval  service,  8;  increasing  the  age 
limit  for  persons  appointed  as  o dicers  in  tlie  Naval 
Reserve,  S;  provision  of  new  regulations  for  enroll- 
ment in  the  Naval  Reserve,  12;  strength  of  Navy 
and  Marine  Corps  temporarily  increased,  12; 
appropriations  for,  in  first  war  appropriations 
act,  lfi-17;  citizens  serving  in  allied  navies,  33; 
air  station  provided  for  Navy,  35;  appropriations 
for,  in  second  war  appropriations  act,  35;  reim- 
l)ursement  of  seamen  for  properly  lost  or  de- 
stroyed in  service,  37;  payment  of  six  months' 
gratuity  to  dependents,  3S;"  liquor  and  immorality 
sections  of  draft  law  extended  to  Navy,  39;  court- 
martial  x)rocedure,  39;  40  cents  fixed  as  com- 
mutation price  of  Navy  ration,  41;  new  ratings 
for  enginemen,  blacksmiths,  etc.,  41.  See  also 
Fleet  Naval  Reserve  and  Secretary  of  the  .Navy. 

Neutralitv,  regulations  for  enforcement  of,  16. 

Nelson,  Senator  Knute,  remarks  on  conscription 
bill,  10. 

Nitrate  of  soda.  President  authorized  to  procure 
stocks  of,  2S. 

North  Island,  San  Diego,  Cal.,  site  for  permanent 
aviation  stations,  22. 

Passports,  regulations  for  issuance  of,  18. 

Pneumatic  mail-tube  service,  investigation  of,  13. 

Port  of  entry,  established  at  Northgate,  N. Dak. ,36. 

Postage,  rates  i^rovided  in  revenue  act,  32. 

Potassium,  act  authorizing  exxjloration  for  and  dis- 
position of,  31. 

President,  authorized  and  directed  to  employ  naval 
and  military  forces,  5;  lump-sum  appropriation 
made  available  for,  6,  authority  given  to,  by 
bond  issue  acts,  6,  29;  authorized  to  take  over 
enemy  vessels,  9;  authority  given  to,  by  conscrip- 
tion act,  10-11;  authority  given,  in  production 
and  operation  of  ships,  1.5-16;  embargo  powders 
authorized,  18;  authorized  to  determine  priorities 
in  transportation,  2-1-25;  authorized  to  direct  co- 
operation with  departments,  25, 26;  authorized  to 
carry  out  purposes  of  food-control  act,  26;  author- 
ized to  accept  services  without  compensation,  26; 
authorized  to  prescribe  regulations  for  issuance  of 
licenses,  26;  authorized  to  requisition  foods,  fuels, 
and  other  supplies,  27;  authorized  to  purchase, 
store,  and  sell  wheat,  flour,  meal,  beans,  and  po- 
tatoes, 27;  authorized  to  requisition  factories, 
packing  houses,  oil  pipe  lines,  and  other  plants, 
27;  authorized  to  prescribe  regulations  for,  or  pro- 
hibit operations  of,  exchanges,  27;  authorized  to 
commandeer  distilled  spirits  in  bond  or  in  stock, 
27;  authorized  to  fix  a  reasonable  guaranteed 
price  for  wheat;  report  to  be  made  by,  of  pro- 
ceedings under  the  food-control  act,  28;  author- 
ized to  fix  price  of  coal  and  coke,  to  establish  rules 
for  their  production,  to  requisition  plants,  busi- 
ness, and  appurtenances  of  their  production,  28; 
authorized  to  procure  stocks  of  nitrate  of  soda,  28: 
authorized  to  appoint  chaplains,  39:  authorized  to 
use  as  Field  Artillery  or  Infantry  such  regiments 
of  Cavalry  as  he  might  determine,  42;  authorized 
to  issue  licenses  for  trading  with  an  enemy  or  ally 
of  an  enemy,  42:  authorized  to  cause  communica- 
tions between  the  United  States  and  any  foreign 
country  to  be  censored,  42;  authorized  to  place  an 
embargo  upon  imports,  42. 

Priority,  in  transportation,  24-25. 

Public  Health  Service,  fixing  the  status  and  rights 
of  officers  of,  when  serving  with  the  Coast  Guard, 
Ai-my,  or  Navy,  20. 

Public-land  affidavits,  to  bo  taken  before  military 
authorities,  37. 

Railways.    Sec  Transportation. 
Recruiting,  act  authorizing  recruiting  by  allied 
governments  from  their  nationals  in  this  country, 


Red  Cross,  authorized  to  erect  tomporai-y  build- 
ings, 12. 
Revenue  act,  31-32. 
Rivers  and  harbors  appropriations  act,  24. 

Seal,  Government,  attempts  at  forgery  of,  18. 

Seai'ch  warrants,  regulations  for  issuance  of,  18. 

Secretary  of  Agricultiue,  authorized  to  conduct  in- 
vestigation, 25;  authorized  to  furnish  seeds  to 
farmers,  25;  authorized  to  cooperate  with  State, 
local,  and  public  agencies,  25. 

Secretary  of  the  Interior,  authorized  to  expend 
funds  for  drainage  pmposes,  43. 

Secretary  of  the  Navy,  authoii/.eJ  to  assign  mem- 
bers of  the  Fleet  Naval  Reser\  e  to  active  duty  for 
training  on  land,  7;  authorized  to  detail  additional 
oflicers  to  the  Hydrographic  Office,  8;  authorized 
and  directed  to  appoint  a  board  of  sm-vey,  9; 

■  supervision  over  aucraft  board,  31.  See  also 
Navy.    > 

Secretary  of  the  Treasm-y,  powers  granted  to,  by 
bond  issue  acts,  6-7;  29;  powers  granted  to,  by 
war-risk  insurance  act,  14;  powers  granted  to, 
by  espionage  act,  17. 

Secretary  of  War,  authorized  to  issue  permits  for  di- 
versions of  water  on  Niagara  River,  20;  authorized 
to  institute  proceedings  for  acnuiremeut  of  land 
by  condemnation,  20;  supervision  over  aircraft 
board,  31;  authorized  to  make  regulations  for  al- 
lotment of  pay,  37.     See  also  Ai'my. 

Seeds,  provisions  for  special  need  of,  25. 

Selective  draft,  regulations  governing,  10-11. 

Settlers.    See  Entrymen. 

Sheppard,  Senator  Morris,  remarks  on  the  food- 
control  act,  26. 

Sherley,  Representative  Swagar,  remarks  on  — 
scription  bill,  10. 

Shipping  Board,  authorized  to  permit  coastg, 
trade  to  foreign  vessels,  38. 

Ships.    See  Vessels. 

Smithsonian  Institution,  temijorary  buildings  t 
erected  on  grounds  of,  14. 

Spirits,  distilled,  provisions  prohibiting  use  of  j 
materials  for  production  of,  27;  importation 
prohibited,  27;  President  authorized  to  conuL.uu- 
deer,  27;  tax  levied  upon,  31;  export  of,  43. 

Stamp  taxes,  upon  bonds  of  indebtedness,  deeds  of 
conveyance,  etc.,  32. 

Stationery,  appropriation  for,  6. 

Sundry  civU  appropriations  act,  15;  correction  of 
error  in,  19. 

Swanson,  Senator  C.  A.,  remarks  on  declaration  of 
war,  5. 

Taxes.    See  Revenue  act. 

Tillman,  Senator  B.  R.,  remarks  on  declaration  of 
war,  5. 

Tobacco,  taxes  levied  upon,  31. 

Trading  with  the  enemy  act,  42. 

Treasury  Departraent,  new  building  for  use  of,.  30. 
See  also  Secretary  of  the  Treasury. 

Transportation,  provision  of  new  car  service  regu- 
lations, 13;  powers  authorized  to  President  to  de- 
termine priorities  in,  24-25;  taxes  levied  upon,  32. 

Vessels,  President  authorized  to  take  over  enemy, 
9;  powers  granted  to  President  to  produce  and 
operate,  15-16;  regulations  for  anchorage  and 
movement  of,  17:  attempts  to  endanger  cargo  or 
persons  on  board,  17;  foreign  vessels  admitted  to 
coastwise  trade,  37. 

War-risk  insurance.    Ser  Insurance. 

Water  power,  permits  on  Niagara  River,  20. 

Wheat,  President  authorized  to  purchase,  store,  and 
sell,  27;  President  authorized  to  fix  reasonable 
guaranteed  price  for,  27. 

Willapa  Harbor  and  River,  Wash.,  improvement 
of,  28. 

Workmen's  compensation  laws,  amendments  relat- 
ing to,  40. 


o 


